From Millennium Development Goals to Sustainable Development Goals: Laying the base for 2030 by WFP Laos

The Lao Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Democratic Republic

From Millennium Development Goals to Sustainable Development Goals: Laying the base for 2030

The United Nations in Lao PDR

Vientiane, November 2017

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Foreword by the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Lao PDR I am pleased to present the Review â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;From Millennium Development Goals to Sustainable Development Goals: Laying the base for 2030.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Lao PDR has achieved considerable progress on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Between 1990 and the MDG target date of 2015, Lao PDR has more than halved poverty and undernourishment and brought net enrolment in primary schools from 59 to 99 percent. In the same period, the under-5 mortality rate has dropped from 170 to 86 per 1,000 live births, the proportion of births attended by trained health personnel has more than tripled from 14 to 54 percent, and the proportion of the population using an improved drinking water source has increased from 28 to 76 percent. However, as this review shows, significant challenges remain. Resulting from over two years of inclusive public consultations throughout the world, the Agenda 2030 with its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) seeks to address the unfinished business of the MDGs. The Agenda 2030 sets global priorities for people, planet and prosperity, and seeks to strengthen universal peace in larger freedom. Going beyond the largely social focus of the MDGs, its SDGs balance the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. In addition to the social goals, they include five economic goals, five environmental goals and a new goal on peace, justice and strong institutions. The SDGs are universal and thus apply to the entire world - developed and developing countries alike. They are integrated and indivisible, calling for coherent and integrated solutions and multi-stakeholder partnerships to address the complex development challenges we face. And they call for systematically and explicitly reducing inequality, putting a focus on those left behind on the path to sustainable development. Lao PDR has been at the forefront of SDG localization, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, who chairs the national SDG Steering Committee, and with lead support by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Lao Statistics Bureau. Nearly 60 percent of the indicators of the 8th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (2016-2020) are linked to the SDG indicators. Lao PDR was also the first country worldwide to adopt an 18th national SDG on removing the unexploded ordnance obstacle to national development. To achieve sustainable development, the Agenda 2030 underlines the fundamental importance of reliable, timely and disaggregated data and statistics. These are indispensable to analyse development challenges, measure progress achieved and make decisions that are based on evidence. In this regard, coordinated capacity development of the statistical system led by the Lao Statistics Bureau and continued support to the reporting on SDG indicators will be essential. This review provides an overview of MDG progress, compiles potential baseline data for the SDGs and highlights SDG localization and monitoring issues. With different data sources currently available through various channels, this review aims to provide a technical foundation for Lao PDRâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s National Voluntary Review on the Sustainable Development Goals, which will be presented to the High-Level Political Forum in July 2018. Updating on progress across all 18 SDGs, the stateiii

led National Voluntary Review will provide a platform for partnerships, including through the participation of major groups and other relevant stakeholders, to promote coherence, accountability and development effectiveness. I am pleased this review was also led by the Government and developed in close consultation with key stakeholders, including all relevant government ministries and departments, UN Agencies and development partners. I would like to thank Madame Phetsamone Sone, Deputy Director of the Lao Statistics Bureau, and her team for the technical guidance; the lead author, Dr. Yin-Yin Nwe, for carefully compiling all data and inputs; and the many experts from the Government, UN agencies and other partners for their contributions to this review.

Kaarina Immonen UN Resident Coordinator in Lao PDR

Executive Summary This Report has been prepared to provide technical support for Lao PDR’s SDG localization, monitoring and reporting, including for Lao PDR’s Voluntary National Review (VNR) in 2018, which will be part of the United Nations’ High Level Political Forum for that year. It is important to emphasize that the Report uses three kinds of data: (i) data from government administrative systems and from surveys conducted by government entities, (ii) calculations for this report based on publicly available government data, and (iii) data drawn from international agencies’ databases and projects, which include data from government sources, but may also include modifications and estimations made by that agency to ensure that the data is internationally comparable. For the VNR, the government will decide on and validate the data source on a case-by-case basis. In 2015 and 2016, Lao PDR went through a comprehensive national planning process. This included (i) preparing a summary overview of its progress towards the Millennium Development Goals, (ii) developing a monitoring and evaluation framework for its Eighth National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP) 2016–2020, ensuring harmonization between the NSEDP indicators and the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicators to the extent possible, and (iii) conducting the localization of the international SDG indicators by selecting and adapting the most relevant ones for in-country use during the current NSEDP cycle. This Report is based on the outcomes from these processes. Most indicators have been agreed upon; however, a few are still under consideration. The first part of the Report provides an overview of progress towards the MDGs. This is summed up below (see also Table 1). •

MDG 1: Two years ahead of the target date, Lao PDR had already achieved the MDG target 1A of halving poverty. The poor on average have become less poor. However, disparities remain significant and have increased in some instances, with a widening gap between the poorest and richest quintiles. In terms of full and productive employment and decent work (target 1B), Lao PDR’s labour productivity grew significantly. This is due to the country’s largely resource-driven and capital-intensive growth which made the GDP per person employed grow as high economic growth outstripped employment growth. However, the growth in labour productivity did not generate sufficient decent employment opportunities. Among those who are employed, the share of vulnerable employment (ownaccount workers and unpaid family workers) remains high. On Target 1C, Lao PDR has achieved the MDG target of halving the proportion of hungry people. However, the country still has a significant level of hunger, and despite progress in the past two years, Lao PDR is still off-track on the MDG target of reducing underweight and stunting.

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MDG 2: Lao PDR has achieved the MDG target on primary net enrolment but not the target on primary school survival and completion. The national gross enrolment ratio (GER) target for lower secondary education has been achieved. Further improvements in secondary enrolment will require improving survival rates in primary education. The literacy target for youth remains to be achieved, indicating among others the need to improve survival rates and the overall quality of teaching and learning. 1

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MDG 3: The gender equality gap has narrowed in all levels of education enrolment, with gender parity at both primary and secondary levels. At tertiary level, the gender equality gap is still below parity. In employment, women generally occupy the lower rungs of the labour market. Women are generally less likely to be employed in decent work and more likely to be found in the vulnerable informal sectors such as unpaid family workers, and therefore more excluded from social protection. While Lao PDR has one of the highest proportions of women in national parliaments, the proportion of women is still very low in other decision-making positions in government.

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MDG 4: Lao PDR has made significant progress in reducing under-five and infant mortality, with UN estimates projecting the achievement of MDG 4. However, the 2015 census showed that both national and international targets have not yet been achieved. The 2018 LSIS results should provide a definitive answer, since this survey will calculate child mortality rates using the same methodology used across the years. Immunization programmes have made good progress, although still below levels required to induce herd immunity/ community immunity and reduce the threat of outbreaks.

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MDG 5: Lao PDR has achieved the MDG target of reducing its maternal mortality ratio (MMR) by three-quarters from 1990 levels. However, both MMR and adolescent birth rate are still among the highest in the region, with great disparities within the population. The high MMR is explained by the low coverage and inadequate quality of services. Modern contraceptive prevalence rate among married women continues to rise, but the unmet need for modern contraceptives is still high.

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MDG 6: HIV prevalence is still low in the general population, but HIV incidence is increasing. In sub-groups of key populations such as sex workers, people who inject drugs and men having sex with men, HIV prevalence is also increasing. The overall knowledge on HIV remains low, and lower still among women. Lao PDR lags behind in two out of three global targets for HIV treatment scale-up (the percentage of people living with HIV who know their HIV status; and among those who know their HIV status, the percentage receiving antiretroviral therapy). In malaria, Lao PDR is facing a resurgence that threatens the steady progress made against the disease in the previous decade. While treatment rates among young children with confirmed malaria remains high, the use of insecticidetreated bednets needs to increase. Tuberculosis (TB) prevalence, although declining, is much higher than previously estimated. TB detection needs to be urgently improved, although once detected, TB treatment success rate is high.

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MDG 7: Processes and institutions for limiting the loss of forests have improved. However, the country is not yet on track to achieving MDG targets 7A and 7B on reversing the loss of environmental resources and reducing biodiversity loss. Greenhouse gas emissions have doubled in ten years. Lao PDR recorded a net sink of CO2 in 1990 and a net emission by year 2000. On the other hand, the phase-out of ozone-depleting substances is on track. Lao PDR has achieved the MDG target 7C on safe water and sanitation, although the high prevalence of open defecation is still a concern.

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MDG 8: Lao PDR’s integration into the regional and global economy continues. Lao PDR still relies on official development assistance for a significant share of its socio-economic development investments. While the country’s risk of external debt distress is categorized as moderate, with a significant part of the external debt related to viable, large resource 2

projects, the Government of Lao PDR does not foresee difficulties in servicing debt, especially since energy sector projects are expected to generate high and stable economic returns. Lao PDR continues to show rapid progress in improving access to information and communication technologies. •

MDG 9: Addressing the impact of UXOs remains a challenge. Despite this, there have been some achievements, with a sharp reduction in UXO casualties over the last decade, integration of risk awareness on mines and explosive remnants of war in the school curricula and the adoption of a more effective new methodology for finding and clearing bombs, which has led to a sharp increase in the land area being released.

The second part of the Report focuses on SDG localization. It provides the outcomes of work over the past 12 months on SDG localization. Under each SDG, the Report provides (i) the list of “localized” SDG indicators initially selected and refined in a series of workshops coordinated by the Ministry of Planning and Investment over the later part of 2016 to mid-2017 (final agreement has not yet been reached on all the indicators, but these are the indicators proposed by this Report following the workshops); (ii) indicative baseline data on the selected indicators (available as of September 2017) based on the three sources described in paragraph 1; (iii) a summary of indicator localization and monitoring issues; and (iv) a brief overview of development issues and challenges. Key lessons from MDG implementation should inform the planning and implementation of SDGs. Specific improvements need to be made in existing information systems. The planning of periodic surveys needs to take into account the need for better coordination and application of harmonized definitions among development partners supporting such surveys. Special support is required for SDGs that have not been part of the usual MDG reporting process. 2018 is a crucial year for national development planning and SDGs. The Mid-Term Review of NSEDP is scheduled for 2018. This is also the year when results from a number of surveys will be available. The VNR reporting process to the United Nations in 2018 provides an opportunity for Lao PDR to make the necessary adjustments in baseline data, the SDG indicators and NSEDP indicators. The process should then inform the design of the next NSEDP and its monitoring framework.

Table 1. Summary review: progress towards MDG targets and selected indicators Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases

Target 1.A: Halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people whose income is less than one dollar a day Target 1.B: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all, including women and young people

Target 6.A: Have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS Target 6.B: Achieve, by 2010, universal access to treatment for HIV/AIDS for all those who need it Target 6.C: Have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse the incidence of malaria and other major diseases

Growth of GDP per person employed Vulnerable employment Target 1.C: Halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people who suffer from hunger

Malaria Tuberculosis Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability

Hunger/Undernourished population Child undernutrition: stunting

Target 7.A: Integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programmes and reverse the loss of environmental resources

Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education Target 2.A: Ensure that, by 2015, children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling

Land area covered by forest Target 7.B: Reduce biodiversity loss, achieving, by 2010, a significant reduction in the rate of loss Target 7.C: Halve, by 2015, the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation

Primary net enrolment Secondary gross enrolment Primary survival/completion Youth literacy

Improved drinking water source

Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women Target 3.A: Eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education, preferably by 2005, and in all levels of education no later than 2015

Improved sanitation facility Goal 9: Reduce the impact of UXO in Lao PDR

Target 9A: Ensure the complete clearance of UXO from priority / high value agricultural land by 2020

Gender parity in education Women in employment

Target 9B: Reduce substantially the number of casualties as a result of UXO incidents

Women in National Parliament Goal 4: Reduce child mortality Target 4.A: Reduce by two-thirds, between 1990 and 2015, the under-five mortality rate

Target 9C: Ensure that medical & rehabilitation needs of all UXO survivors are met in line with treaty obligations under the Convention on Cluster Munitions

Under five and infant mortality Immunization

Key

Goal 5: Improve maternal health Target 5.A: Reduce by three quarters, between 1990 and 2015, the maternal mortality ratio

Achieved Not yet achieved, but slow progress

Maternal mortality ratio

Not yet achieved, off track

Delivery care coverage

No information/not measured

Target 5.B: Achieve, by 2015, universal access to reproductive health Contraceptive prevalence & unmet needs Adolescent birth rate Antenatal care coverage

Introduction 1. This Report has been prepared to provide technical support for Lao PDR’s SDG localization, monitoring and reporting, including for Lao PDR’s Voluntary National Review (VNR) in 2018, which will be part of the United Nations’ High Level Political Forum for that year. It is important to emphasize that the Report uses three kinds of data: (i) data from government administrative systems and from surveys conducted by government entities, (ii) calculations for this report based on publicly available government data, and (iii) data drawn from international agencies’ databases and projects, which include data from government sources, but may also include modifications and estimations made by that agency to ensure that the data is internationally comparable. For the VNR, the government will decide on and validate the data source on a caseby-case basis. 2. In 2015 and 2016, Lao PDR went through a comprehensive national planning process. This included (i) preparing a summary overview of its progress towards the Millennium Development Goals, (ii) developing a monitoring and evaluation framework for its Eighth National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP) 2016–2020, ensuring harmonization between the NSEDP indicators and the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicators to the extent possible, and (iii) conducting the localization of the international SDG indicators by selecting and adapting the most relevant ones for in-country use during the current NSEDP cycle. This Report is based on the outcomes from these processes. 3. Most indicators have been agreed upon; however, a few are still under consideration. The first part of the Report provides an overview of progress towards the MDGs, while the second part provides the outcomes of the work on SDG localization. Under each SDG, the Report provides (i) the list of “localized” SDG indicators initially selected and refined in a series of workshops coordinated by the Ministry of Planning and Investment over the later part of 2016 to mid-2017 (final agreement has not yet been reached on all the indicators, but these are the indicators proposed by this Report following the workshops); (ii) indicative baseline data on the selected indicators (available as of September 2017) based on the three sources described in paragraph 1; (iii) a summary of indicator localization and monitoring issues; and (iv) a brief overview of development issues and challenges.

Part I. Millennium Development Goals: Progress and Unfinished Agenda

MDG 1 ERADICATE EXTREME POVERTY AND HUNGER

MDG 1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger MDG 1.1. Halve poverty 4. Two years ahead of the target date, Lao PDR had already achieved the MDG target 1A of halving poverty. The poverty headcount ratio dropped from 46 per cent in 1992/93 to 23 per cent by 2012/13. Household welfare has improved in terms of ownership of assets, condition of housing and access to services. The durability of housing materials showed significant improvement. Over the same period, access to electricity among poor households increased by 18.5 percentage points to 58.7 percent.1 Some 86 per cent of poor households in 2015 owned mobile phones, 77 per cent owned a television and 80 per cent owned a motor bike.2 Poverty reduction and consumption growth lag behind the country’s GDP growth. From 2007/08 to 2012/13, Lao PDR’s annualized growth in real per capita consumption was 2 percent, which lagged behind the rate of per capita GDP growth by 4 percentage points.3 5. The poor on average have become less poor. The country has seen a steady reduction in the poverty gap and poverty severity over time.4 The poverty gap has come down from 11.2 per cent in 1992/93 to 5.5 per cent of the national poverty line in 2012/13, while the squared poverty gap (poverty severity index) has declined from 3.9 to 1.9 over the same period.5 By 2015, national estimates showed that the poverty rate had declined even further. The percentage of all households defined as “poor” by the National Committee for Rural Development and Poverty Eradication (NCRDPE) declined from 18.9 per cent in 2011 and 13 per cent in 2012 to 6.6 per cent of all households in 2015. Over the same period, the proportion of villages defined as “poor” declined from 36.7 per cent in 2011 and 30.3 per cent in 2012 to 20.5 per cent in 2015.a 6. Disparities remain significant. The rural-urban gap remains significant at 18.6 percentage points. The poverty rate in rural areas is 2.9 times that of the urban areas. Even so, over the past two decades, the rural poverty headcount ratio fell from 51.8 to 28.6. The progress in poverty reduction also varies by altitude and location. One-third of the population in upland areas is still below the poverty line, while in lowland areas, about one-fifth of the population is poor (18.8 percent). Poverty reduction in midland areas has proceeded relatively steadily: with a poverty rate of 22 per cent in 2012/13, the midland areas appear to be catching up with the lowland areas.6 7. The growth in consumption has benefited the richer quintiles more than the poorer segments of the population. Over the 20-year period from1992/93 to 2012/13, the difference in the share of national consumption between the poorest and richest quintiles has widened by about 6 percentage points. In 2012/13, consumption of the richest quintile was 6.4 times that of the poorest. Two decades ago, the difference was 4.7 times. 7

The NCRDPE’s definition of poverty is from the perspectives of income and access to basic services. It is therefore not comparable with household consumption surveys. The NCRDPE produces annual monitoring reports while the Lao Expenditure and Consumption Surveys (LECS) produce data only once every five years.

8. Ethnicity, education and employment of the household head play determinant roles. The Lao-Tai, with the highest levels of education, have the lowest poverty rate (15.4 percent), continuing the trend of the previous two decades. The poverty rate among the Chine-Tibetan group has declined dramatically (from 42.2 per cent in 2007/08 to 16.4 per cent in 2012/13), and is comparable with that of the Lao-Tai. Poverty remains high among the Mon-Khmer and Hmong-Lu Mien, at 42.3 per cent and 39.8 per cent respectively. The poverty headcount rate is much higher among households where the household head has no education (41.7 percent) or only some primary education (32.4 percent). Non-Lao-Tai groups traditionally live in upland or more remote areas difficult to access, and this factor is important, since location and access affect education and livelihoods. Employment and agriculture produce prices also influence poverty patterns. The slowdown in rural poverty reduction over the most recent five-year period for which there is data (2007/08 to 2012/13) is attributed to the decline in prices of agricultural produce over this period, which reduced large farmers’ welfare, but raised the welfare of wage-workers, who are net food buyers. 9. Three provinces saw poverty rise from 2007/08 to 2012/13. These were Bokeo, Champasack and Saravane. Bokeo has seen a continuing rise in poverty from 21.1 per cent in 2002/03 to 44.4 per cent in 2012/13. Among the remaining 14 provinces, poverty declined at varying rates. Vientiane Capital, Attapeu and Phongsaly made the fastest progress in terms of percentage reduction from 2007/08 to 2012/13.8

MDG 1.2. Achieve full productive employment and decent work 10. The picture is mixed on productive employment and decent work. Three indicators show Lao PDR’s progress and challenges in achieving MDG 1.2. •

Lao PDR’s labour productivity9 grew significantly from 1995 to 2010 but remains low (see below).

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Among those who are employed, the share of vulnerable employment (own-account workers and unpaid family workers) remains high.

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The high employment to population ratio (ETPR), in contrast to that of richer countries,a shows that people have to work to survive and that too many young people are not in education or training.

11. The growth in labour productivity did not generate sufficient decent employment opportunities. The largely resource-driven and capital-intensive growth meant that GDP per person employed grew, since the high economic growth outstripped employment growth. However, the high growth did not have sufficient impact on the agriculture and fishery sectors,10 which account for about 70 per cent of employed persons.11 The agriculture sector still has low productivity (4 to 10 times lower than non-agricultural sectors in 2010)12 with a lack of domestic value-added. Overall, agricultural productivity in Lao PDR is still less than half of Thailand’s, although it has increased over the past few years to overtake that in Vietnam and Cambodia.b 2016 estimates by the International Labour Organization for ETPR were 71% for Thailand and 66% for Singapore. In 2016, the average agricultural value added per worker (in constant 2010 US$ prices) in Lao PDR was US$ 927, compared to US$ 801 in Cambodia, US$ 813 in Vietnam, US$ 1,071 in Myanmar and US$ 2,085 in Thailand. Source: World Bank Databank. a b

12. The majority of the population are employed, but decent work opportunities are limited. Some 84 per cent of those who work are in vulnerable employment, as defined by the ILO, since they are own-account workers and unpaid family workers. The high level of vulnerable employment is driven by the agriculture and fishery sector, sales workers, and elementary occupations.a13 The bulk of agricultural work is characterized by low incomes,b poor working conditions and deficits in access to both social protection and workplace representation. Vulnerable employment is not confined to agriculture, since informal employment is widespread, and this often means low paying jobs and poor working conditions. Lao migrants – a large source of income for families in southern Lao PDR – are also a vulnerable group. These migrants make up around 8 per cent of the working population,14 mostly in low-paid, labour intensive work in neighbouring Thailand. 13. The employment-to-population ratio (ETPR) reflects poverty patterns. Lao PDR’s relatively high ETPR is simply because the poor cannot afford not to work, regardless of the quality of work. For example, the ETPR is highest in the remote rural areas without road access and lowest in urban areas. The poorest quintile of the household population has a high ETPR of 85 per cent (against 71 per cent for the richest).

MDG 1.3. End hunger and improve nutrition 14. Lao PDR has achieved the MDG target of halving the proportion of hungry people.15 The proportion of undernourished in the population16 has declined from 42.8 per cent in 1990 to around 18.5 per cent in 2015.17 However, the country still has a significant level of hunger, as measured by the Global Hunger Index. Around one-fifth of the population consumes less than the minimum dietary energy requirements. Among 119 countries measured by the Global Hunger Index (GHI) in 2017, Lao PDR scored 27.5 placing it among the 25% of countries with “serious” hunger.18,19 15. Despite progress in the past two years, Lao PDR is still off-track on the MDG target of reducing underweight and stunting. In 2015, some 35.6 per cent of children under five years of age were stunted, 25.5 per cent were underweight and 9.6 per cent were wasted.c Since the early 1990s, the decline in stunting has been slow and national targets have not been met in 2015. The country is still some distance from meeting the international targets for halving underweight and stunting prevalence relative to the baseline values in the early 1990s. 16. Undernutrition in Lao PDR shows strong inequalities across regions and groups, associated with poverty patterns. In rural areas without road access, stunting and underweight prevalence are twice those in urban areas. Stunting prevalence rates in children from Hmong-Lu Mien and Sino-Tibetan ethno-linguistic groups exceed 60 percent, nearly double those of children from the Lao-Tai group. The prevalence of stunting among children from the poorest households is three times higher than that in the richest households. This gap has widened in recent years, with little progress among the poorest children. Even amongst the richest households, 20 per cent of children suffer from stunting.20 Elementary occupations include cleaners, roadside vendors, messengers, etc. ILO’s full definition is given in the notes. This is ‘incomes’ rather than wages, since the majority are not wage-workers. c 2015 Lao Child Anthropometry Assessment Survey (LCAAS), MoH and LSB. This survey may not be comparable with previous LSIS (2011/12) results. The 2017 LSIS should be able to confirm that stunting has indeed declined significantly from 44% in 2011/12. a b

17. Lao PDR is off-track on stunting and underweight because the causes have not been adequately addressed.21 Infant and young child feeding practices are poor, and low dietary diversity for both mothers and children.22 The main issues are the relatively low rates of exclusive breastfeeding under the age of 6 months, the alarming increase in the use of baby formula and inappropriate complementary feeding.23,24 Iron deficiency anaemia and vitamin A deficiency are high in young children (42 and 45 per cent respectively).25,26 Maternal nutrition, a crucial determinant in child stunting, remains poor. High anaemia rates,27 low contraceptive use28 and high fertility rates contribute to poor maternal nutrition. High adolescent birth rates among the nonLao-Tai groups (22- 39 per cent)29 are another contributor to child stunting.30 Female education, which strongly influences child nutrition, is still poor. Stunting rates are four times higher among children of uneducated women than among children of mothers with secondary or higher education.31 Cultural beliefs and food taboos that may have a negative impact on nutrition also need to be addressed.32,33 18. Food insecurity is still significant. While 89 per cent of the population has acceptable food consumption patterns, around 11 per cent of rural households have poor and borderline food consumption.34 Households most vulnerable to food insecurity are those living in remote areas with little access to basic infrastructure, households with low engagement in fishing and hunting or unskilled labours, those practicing upland farming on small slopes, and those without kitchen gardens. Fishing, hunting and gathering of wild foods are central to food procurement and increasingly to cash generation for a large number of households, particularly in the northern uplands. 19. Progress on addressing immediate and long-term threats to food security remains slow. These threats cut across many sectors. The key threat is soil degradation and decreasing yields,35 which are related to land pressure resulting from population and large-scale investment projects,36 rainfall-dependent agricultural practices and limited access to irrigation. Other threats include disease outbreaks among livestock, the difficulties for farmers to find economically attractive legal alternatives to opium growing,37 low resilience to natural disasters, and unexploded ordnance (UXO) that makes farmland unsafe. 20. Spending patterns need improvement among some urban dwellers. In Vientiane Capital, an estimated one in ten people who live in households that are not poor do not spend enough on food.38 Even though these households are above the poverty line, they do not spend enough on food, preferring instead to spend on other items, such as consumer goods

MDG 2 ACHIEVE UNIVERSAL PRIMARY EDUCATION

MDG 2. Achieve universal primary education 21. Lao PDR has achieved the MDG target on primary net enrolment but not the target on primary school completion. While the primary net enrolment ratio (NER) was 98.5 per cent by 2014,39 the survival rate to grade 540 remains low, at around 78 per cent in 2014/15.41 This is because most children drop out in the first year of school or do not progress to the next grade level. The construction of â&#x20AC;&#x153;complete primary schoolsâ&#x20AC;? has enabled many more children to go to school. The proportion of complete schools rose from 48 per cent in 2007/0842 to 80 per cent in 201543 of all primary schools. 22. Disparities in primary enrolment have decreased, but disparities in attendance are still significant. The interprovincial disparities in primary NER have decreased over the years44 from 30 percentage points in 2007 to around 3.5 percentage points in 2014.45 However, the primary adjusted net attendance ratios (ANAR)46 between provinces varied by as much as 22 percentage points in 2011/12. 23. Large disparities persist in survival rates. While survival rates have improved since 2012, the difference between provinces in 2015 remain significant at 28 percentage points.47 Around 10,000 primary students drop out from primary education every year.48 Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lack of school readiness is a key factor. The access to early childhood education is limited. Around half the new entrants to grade one had preschool experience in 2014/15, with most of these enrolments in urban areas.49 24. The national gross enrolment ratio (GER) target for lower secondary education has been achieved. Upper secondary GER has also increased from below 20 per cent in the early 1990s to 45.8 in 2014/15. Overall, secondary gross enrolment ratio (GER) had increased to 64.6 per cent by 2014/15. Further improvements in secondary enrolment will require improving survival rates in primary education. The dropout rates and disparities in attendance during the secondary cycle are significant. Secondary education gross graduation rates50 are much lower than gross enrolment rates, indicating high dropout rates.51,52 In 2012, the secondary ANAR differed by as much as 54 percentage points across provinces (Vientiane Capital and Saravane).53 25. The literacy target for youth remains to be achieved. In recent years, progress in literacy rates have stagnated or possibly even reversed.54 Lao PDR has a low literacy rate, even among youth, possibly because of the large proportion of children not continuing to secondary education. The number of learners within the non-formal education for the lower secondary level has increased rapidly. However, the quality and efficiency of such learning programs need improvement. 26. Early grade literacy and the overall quality of teaching and learning need improvement. Assessments of Grade 5 students in 2006 and 200955 highlighted the low language learning outcomes achieved by students. In 2009, only 19 per cent of Grade 4 students had a level of independent functioning in Lao language. A more recent assessment in 2011/12 showed the need to improve in both language and mathematics. In the fourth grade, one quarter of pupils do not have a good command of reading; 10.6 per cent cannot manage to read simple text and 41.4% per cent do not master the minimum skills expected at the end of primary education.56

MDG 3 PROMOTE GENDER EQUALITY AND EMPOWER WOMEN

MDG 3. Promote gender equality and empower women 27. The gender equality gap has narrowed in all levels of education enrolment. Enrolment at primary level is close to gender parity.57 58 Once in primary school, girls generally do better than do boys. Girls stay longer, have less repetition, and are more likely to complete primary schooling than are boys.a Girls have better school attendance rates, although their enrolment is lower than that of boys. ANAR in 2012 showed gender parity at both primary and secondary level. At tertiary level, the gender equality gap is still well below parity. However, the gap at tertiary level is narrowing at a faster rate than that at secondary level. This is probably because young women who make it to tertiary level are likely to come from families where gender is less of a barrier. 28. There is less progress on gender equality at higher levels of education and in poor rural areas. Gender disparity in enrolment progressively widens in favour of boys going up to lower secondary, upper secondary and tertiary. The gender gap in school attendance is also much wider in remote rural areas and among children whose mothers are uneducated. 29. Women generally occupy the lower rungs of the labour market.59 The share of women in wage employment is low in all sectors (35 percent), including non-agricultural sectors (34 percent).60 The low share of women in wage employment, relative to men, is associated with lower education levels. An estimated 67 per cent of employed females have no education or only primary education, in contrast to 54 per cent of employed males. 30. Women are generally less likely to be employed in decent work. Although an equal share of men and women make up the working population,b women are more excluded from formal sectors and the social protection that this entails. Some 64 per cent of workers in the elementary occupations61 and 65 per cent of unpaid family workers are women. Those classified as service, shop and market sales workers are largely women. Men account for the majority of civil servants, professionals, technicians and other sectors. Although women have significant roles in agriculture, they have less access to and control of farming inputs and credit.62 Women account for only 23 per cent of all employers,63 more often of small enterprises, rather than medium to large firms.64 31. Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s participation in the parliament is relatively high, but not in other government institutions. Lao PDR has one of the highest proportions of women in national parliaments, well above the world average. However, the proportion of women is still too low in other decisionmaking positions in government institutions (5 percent, 2012) The Governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goal to have women in at least 15 per cent of decision-making positions by 2015 and 30 per cent women in the national parliament following the 2016 election has not been achieved. At local level, 98 per cent of village chiefs are men, although the Lao Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Union (LWU) is represented in village councils.65 There are no data on the private sector.

a b

The GPI calculated with survival rate, repetition rate and completion rate is respectively 1.04, 0.80 and 1.06. Females form 49.8 per cent and males form 50.2 per cent of those employed.

MDG 4 REDUCE CHILD MORTALITY

MDG 4. Reduce child mortality 32. Lao PDR has made significant progress in reducing under-five and infant mortality. The projections from LSIS results in 2012 showed that Lao PDR was on track to meet its national targets. However, the 2015 census figures show that national targets for under-five and infant mortality (set respectively at 70 and 45 per thousand live births) are still not achieved.66 The country has still some way to go before it can achieve international targets (reduction by two-thirds of 1990 levels).67 However, no firm conclusions should be drawn until the new LSIS results (expected in 2017/2018), to ensure that child mortality rates are calculated using the same methodology across the years.68 33. Immunization programmes have made good progress, although still below the levels required to induce herd immunity or community immunity and reduce the threat of outbreaks. On the other hand, household survey data show lower coverage: 55 per cent in 2012, compared to 72 per cent from administrative data. Coverage by the combined DTP-HBV-HIBa vaccine was 52% in 2012 and only one-third of all children received the full complement of recommended vaccinations by one year of age.69 34. Disparities in young child mortality are marked across socio-economic groups. Mortality rates are much higher among children from the poorest households, those living in remote rural areas without road access, and those born of mothers with no education, mothers who are older (above 34) or too-young (below age 20), and mothers from non-Lao-Tai groups. Some of the highest mortality rates are among children born to mothers having births less than two years apart and too-frequent births.70 35. The coverage and quality of maternal and child health services are still too low, especially among disadvantaged groups.71 Such communities have inadequate water and sanitation facilities and poor hygiene practices. Saravane and Phongsaly, for example, have very high rates of open defecation (78 and 62 per cent respectively).72 Even where health services are available, other factors linked to poor education and poverty (such as the lack of health awareness and lack of time) lead to low utilization rates. The quality of health services offered in poor and remote areas is inadequate, with staff shortages, poorly trained staff, and shortages of essential supplies and antibiotics.73,

For prevention of diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae B.

MDG 5 IMPROVE MATERNAL HEALTH

MDG 5. Improve maternal Health 36. Lao PDR has achieved the MDG target of reducing its maternal mortality ratio (MMR) by three-quarters from 1990 levels. Over the past two decades, MMR has declined from 1,100 per 100,000 live births in 1990 to around 220 in 2013 (estimated by United Nations agencies74) and 206 in 2015 according to the census. However, the MMR is still among the highest in the region, with great disparities within the population. Early pregnancy is still common and increases the risk of maternal mortality, particularly among women with no education or those living in areas without road access. Despite achieving the national target for adolescent birth rate of 76 per 1000 live births,75 this rate also remains one of the highest in the region. 37. The high MMR is explained by the low coverage and inadequate quality of services. The proportion of births assisted by trained health personnel76 continues to increase, but is still low (42 per cent according to survey data). Modern contraceptive prevalence rate among married women is only 42% and the unmet need for modern contraceptives is still high (20% in 2011/2012). Only 38 per cent of deliveries took place in health facilities (2011/12). The antenatal care (ANC) coverage77 was an estimated 69 per cent in 2014,a but this was only for one visit by trained health personnel, while the WHO recommends many more.78 ANC service quality is inadequate.79 While major hospitals can provide caesarean services, and basic emergency obstetric and newborn care (BEmONC) services are available in every district, service quality and referral systems still need improvement.80 38. Disparities in maternal health service coverage are pronounced. Maternal health service indicators are lowest in rural areas without road access, among women with primary or no education, women from the poorest households, and women from non-Lao-Tai groups. The disparities are starkest between poverty quintiles: the richest and poorest quintiles have up to 80 percentage points difference in maternal health services coverage. The caesarean section rate is still low, at 4 per cent of all births, indicating that some women who needed a caesarean delivery were not able to have one. 81

Note, however, that the 2006 and 2011/12 data (35 and 54 per cent respectively) are from surveys, while 2014 is from MoH administrative data, and the datasets are not comparable.

MDG 6 COMBAT HIV/AIDS, MALARIA AND OTHER DISEASES

MDG 6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases MDG 6.1. Respond to HIV/AIDS 39. HIV prevalence has been generally low over the past 15 years, but Lao PDR cannot afford complacence. HIV incidence is increasing, unlike in some neighbouring countries, with an estimated 1,096 cases of new infections in 2015,82 up from 957 new cases in 201483 and 617 new cases in 2012. HIV prevalence also is increasing in sub-groups of key populations such as sex workers, people who inject drugs (PWID) and men having sex with men (MSM) classified as transgender who reported selling sex. Heterosexual contact (88%) and MSM (8%) account for the majority of HIV transmission from 1990 to 2013. Transmission from mother to child (4%) and injecting drug use (less than 1%) account for only a small proportion of cases.84 40. The overall knowledge on HIV remains low, and lower still among women. Knowledge levels have not increased significantly from 2000. Knowledge of HIV/AIDS is much lower among those living in rural areas without road access, those with no education, those from the poorest quintile and amongst the ethnic groups living in remote areas. The knowledge differentials between rich and poor, and educated and uneducated are much starker than those between men and women.85 Condom use rates are reported to be high in commercial sex, but are lower in casual sex. Nationally representative data on condom use is lacking. 41. The country lags behind in two out of three global targets for HIV treatment scale-up beyond 2015.a In 2015, •

Around 71 per cent of the estimated number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Lao PDR currently know their HIV status, against the 2020 global target of 90 percent.

•

47 per cent of PLHIV in Lao PDR who know their status are receiving ART, while the 2020 global target is 90 percent.

•

78 per cent of those on ART have suppressed viral load.86

MDG 6.2. Address malaria and other major diseases 42. Lao PDR is facing a resurgence in malaria that threatens the steady progress made against the disease in the previous decade. From 2000 to 2011, malaria cases and deaths declined by around 50%, but from December 2011, malaria outbreaks in the south of the country led to a sharp rise of confirmed cases and deaths. Case incidence increase since 2011 is associated with an influx of migrant workers in the south of the country.87 The increasing trend in malaria cases continues. There were 50,663 confirmed cases in 2014, although the number of recorded deaths dropped to four for the entire country in 2014.88 Bednet coverage still needs to improve. Surveys89 in 2012 in selected areas found that over 80 per cent of children under age 5 slept under a bednet of some kind.90 A 2016 survey in the three high malaria burden provinces of a

The new targets for the HIV treatment scale-up beyond 2015 are (i) by 2020, 90 per cent of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status, (ii) by 2020, 90 per cent of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy and (iii) by 2020, 90 per cent of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression.

Champasack, Sekong and Attapeu found 74.3% of children under age 5 sleeping under longlasting insecticidal nets (LLINs).91 Treatment rates among young children with confirmed malaria remains high, generally well over 90 per cent.92 43. Tuberculosis (TB) prevalence, although declining, is much higher than previously estimated. Following the results of the first national TB prevalence survey (2010-2011),93 the WHO re-estimated TB statistics for Lao PDR. The new estimates showed the prevalence of all cases of TB to be 1.9 times higher than previous estimations. The revised WHO trend model94 indicates that Lao PDR had more than halved the prevalence of all forms of TB from 1990 to 2014. TB incidence has also declined; mortality due to TB, however, does not seem to have declined.95 TB detection needs to be urgently improved. The TB survey and the programme review suggest that many TB cases remain undiagnosed and untreated, and that only around one-third of all TB cases are detected. However, the TB treatment success rate is high, at over 90%.

MDG 7 ENSURE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

MDG 7. Ensure environmental sustainability MDG 7.1. Protect environmental resources and biodiversity 44. Processes and institutions for limiting the loss of forests have improved, but Lao PDR is not yet on track to achieving targets 7A and 7B. The government has designated 20 areas covering 3,390,700 hectares or 14.3 per cent of the country96 as National Protected Areas (also called National Biodiversity Conservation Areas).97 If the areas under provincial and district protection are added, the coverage increases to around 20.2 per cent of the land area.98 The government is promoting community participation, sustainable forest management and payment for ecosystems services. 45. Forest cover has decreased significantly over the past decade. Forest cover in 2012 stood at 9.5 million hectares or an estimated 40 per cent of the area of the country.99 The forest cover is declining at an estimated rate of 1.4 per cent per annum.100 Agricultural expansion, hydropower, mining, infrastructure and urban expansion have led to deforestation while illegal logging, poorly regulated harvesting and shifting cultivation continue to cause forest degradation. Reforestation has not met the previous Five-Year Plan target of 3.9 million hectares: only 8.5 per cent of that target was achieved, amounting to 329,941 hectares.101 46. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have doubled in ten years. Lao PDR recorded a net sink of CO2 in 1990 and a net emission by year 2000.102 Of the total CO2 emissions, nearly all were emitted by land-use change and forestry. The agriculture sector produced the greatest share of methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). 47. Phase-out of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) is on track. These have declined to nearzero in 2014.103 The remaining ODS, which are hydro-chlorofluorocarbons (HCFC), are scheduled to phase out by 2030.104 48. Freshwater resources show a declining trend. Lao PDRâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s per-capita volume of internal renewable water resources is among the fastest in the region, having decreased by 34 per cent from 1990 to 2014.105 49. Animal and plant species threatened with extinction have nearly doubled. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) recorded the number of threatened species in Lao PDR increasing from 115 in 2008, to 213 in 2016.106 The degradation and disappearance of habitat, poaching and wildlife trade are continuing threats to biodiversity.107

MDG 7.2. Improve sustainable access to water and sanitation 50. Lao PDR has achieved the MDG target on improved water and sanitation.108 In 2015, 76 percent109 of the population are estimated to have access to improved sources of drinking water. The estimate of coverage by improved sanitation is 71 percent.110,111 However, the high prevalence of open defecation is still a concern (38 per cent in 2011/12, and an estimated 23 per cent in 2015).112 51. The rural-urban gap in access to safe water has narrowed but disparities remain significant. At national level, the gap is now estimated as 17 percentage points in 2015.113 However, the gap between uneducated families and better-educated families, and between the richest and poorest quintiles is estimated to be much larger (over 30 percentage points in 2011/12).114 52. Disparities in safe sanitation are far greater than are those in safe water coverage; hygiene practices are generally poor. The difference was estimated to be 38 percentage points between rural and urban areas in 2015.115 Sanitation coverage is 8 times better among the rich than among the poor. Sanitation coverage among the Lao-Tai is 2.6 times that of the Chine-Tibetan and the Mon-Khmer. Among these disadvantaged groups, more than half still practice open defecation. 116 81 per cent of children under 2 years live in households that do not dispose of childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s faeces hygienically.117 Open defecation remains a challenge.

MDG 8 DEVELOP A GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR DEVELOPMENT

MDG 8. Develop a global partnership for development MDG 8.1. Improve trading systems 53. Lao PDR’s integration into the regional and global economy continues. Over the past decade and following the 2001 Doha Decision on Least-Developed Countries, developed economies have substantially reduced tariffs and given greater market access for the least developed countries' exports, including those of Lao PDR. In 2010, Lao PDR signed the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) and in 2013, it became a formal member of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Both agreements required modifications on tariffs, non-tariff measures, customs reforms, and trade facilitation. On 22 June 2012, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce launched the Lao PDR Trade Portal,118 which enables traders to cut down on time for carrying out cross-border trade transactions.119

MDG 8.2. Achieve effective development cooperation 54. Lao PDR relies on official development assistance for a significant share of its socioeconomic development investments. Development assistance accounted for about 14 per cent of total investment for the fiscal year 2012-13 and 10 per cent for 2013-14.120 The alignment of external support with national priorities and goals is discussed between the Government and development partners in the Round Table Process, which forms an important national forum for meaningful dialogue on strategic development planning, aid effectiveness and ownership issues. 55. The Vientiane Declaration on Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation (20162025) is the overarching framework for development cooperation in Lao PDR. It was adopted during the November 2015 High-level Round Table Meeting, which renewed the commitments from the government and development partners to effective development cooperation. The Declaration aligns Lao PDR’s cooperation principles with the global agenda on effective development cooperation, including the 2012 Busan Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation, the 2014 Mexico High Level Meeting Communiqué, the 2015 Addis Ababa Action Agenda and the SDGs. 56. The Lao PDR–United Nations Partnership Framework (2017-2021) articulates the collective response of the UN system to national development priorities. The Partnership Framework aims to identify strategic focus areas, promote synergy, improve coordination and ensure transparency and predictability of resources. It also aims to make the knowledge networks and expertise of the UN system more systematically accessible to the Government of Lao PDR.

MDG 8.3. Improve debt sustainability 57. Lao PDR’s risk of external debt distress is categorized as moderate. A Debt Sustainability Analysis conducted by the IMF and IDA at the end of 2014 found Lao PDR to be on the cusp of a transition to high risk, with heightened vulnerabilities for public debt. Given the considerable share of foreign currency denominated debt, large and sudden exchange rate depreciation could 28

significantly raise the debt-to-GDP and the debt service-to-revenue trajectories for external and public debt. The Debt Sustainability Analysis recommended addressing vulnerabilities through fiscal consolidation and by strengthening public investment management capacity.121 58. The Government of Lao PDR does not foresee difficulties in servicing debt. A significant part of the external debt is related to viable, large resource projects. Energy sector projects are expected to generate high and stable economic returns upon completion. Given the expected strong royalty, dividends and profits, the authorities do not anticipate any difficulty finding creditors and servicing outstanding loans. A relatively long maturity profile of loans, as well as U.S. dollar returns of the exporting sectors, would help mitigate the risks of debt distress. The Government anticipates an increase in disbursements of new funds from some bilateral donors between 2014 and 2019 and, therefore, it expects lower new borrowing than that assumed by the Debt Sustainability Analysis. Borrowing is expected to shift from external to domestic sources over time, as domestic financing becomes cheaper. Better access to non-concessional loans is also expected in the future.122

MDG 8.4. Promote information and communication technologies Table 2. Penetration of information communication technologies Female

Male

12.6 34.3 75.7

17.6 42.4 76.3

2007/8

13.9 7.5 2012/13

15.9 9.4 2015

48.1 60.2 2.0

76 75.1 7.5

86 77 11

1. Percentage of population of age 15-49 years, 2011/12: -

Read a newspaper at least once a week Listened to the radio at least once a week Watched television at least once a week

2. Percentage of youth (age 15-24 years), 2011/12: -

Used a computer during the preceding 12 months Used the internet during the preceding 12 months

3. Percentage of households that possess: -

Mobile phone Television Computer

Data sources and notes: Indicators 1 2: Lao Social Indicators Survey, 2011/12, Lao Statistics Bureau (LSB). Indicator 3: Population and Housing Census, 2015, LSB. Lao Expenditure and Consumption Surveys, 2007/8 and 2012/13, LSB.

59. Lao PDR continues to show rapid progress in improving access to information and communication technologies (ICT). The access to mobile telephony and internet seems to have expanded rapidly, although the data shows a decline in the years following 2011.a In 2015, 86% of households had a mobile telephone.123 In 2011, around 8% of women and 9% of men in the age group 1524 years used the internet during the preceding 12 months. Even in the poorest two quintiles, a small proportion of young people was able to use the internet.124

The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications reports that the decrease in 2012 was due to “registration of SIMs.” Previously bought and used anonymously, user details are now required for registration of Lao SIMs.

60. Among mass media channels, television has the highest penetration, reaching 76% of the population. A small proportion of the total population (5% of women and 9% of men) do not have access to any channel of mass communication (radio, TV or newspapers). In most cases, men have slightly greater access to media than do women; however, the patterns are not consistent across different socio-economic groups, and may reflect disinclination or desire (which are influenced by culture and tradition), rather than physical access.

MDG 9 REDUCE THE IMPACT OF UXO

MDG 9. Reduce the impact of UXO in Lao PDR 61. Lao PDR adopted its own ninth Millennium Development Goal on 20 October 2010 at the Vientiane High Level Round Table Meeting. This was the goal of “Reducing the impact of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Lao PDR in accordance with the National Strategic Plan for the UXO sector ‘The Safe Path Forward II.’ ” Lao PDR had signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) on 3 December 2008 and ratified it on 18 March 2009, making Lao PDR amongst the first 30 ratifications that triggered the entry into force of the CCM on 1 August 2010. When establishing MDG 9, the Government of Lao PDR and Development Partners acknowledged that many affected communities could achieve progress and well-being only if the issue of unexploded ordnance was resolved. Effective action in this area will not only achieve MDG 9, but will also contribute significantly to the achievement of several other MDGs as well. 62. Addressing the impact of UXOs remains a challenge.a With an estimate of 8.7 million hectares contaminated by UXO, Lao PDR has cleared over 55,000 hectares since 1996. Over 50,000 casualties125 were reported from 1964 to 2012, meaning an average of 997 people a year killed, injured or maimed by UXOs. The bulk of victims were of active working age between ages 15 and 35 years. In recent years, effective mine risk education and the clearance of high risk areas have seen the number of casualties dropping from 302 casualties in 2008 to 42 casualties in 2015.126 More men and boys are affected compared to women and girls, as the men and boys are more likely to venture further outside village limits into the forest. A significant proportion of UXO casualties are children (about 40% over the past decade127). Children represented 62 per cent of all reported UXO victims (dead and injured) in 2014, 61 per cent in 2013, 41 per cent in 2012 and 57 per cent in 2011. 63. The needs of survivors are still largely unmet. The 2010 survey found that among the several thousands of injuries sustained by survivors that required a prosthesis, only 583 survivors claimed to have received one.128 A victim assistance strategy and programme have been adopted for the period 2014-2020. There are no further updates on indicator 9.3 on assistance to survivors, although it is generally recognized that the survivor tracking system needs to be operationalized. 64. Despite the challenges, the past few years have seen a number of achievements: •

The number of UXO casualties has been reduced by 85 per cent over the last decade. In recent years, with less than 50 casualties reported annually, the national target of less than 75 casualties a year has been met.

•

Risk awareness on mines and explosive remnants of war have been integrated into school curricula.

•

The Government has adopted a new methodology for finding and clearing bombs that is expected to enhance the effectiveness of UXO clearance operations, which has also resulted in a sharp increase in the land area being released. This has led to an improved focus of resources on areas with confirmed contamination, as shown by an increase of over 460 per cent in the number of explosive remnants of war removed per hectare. The methodology is more results-oriented and future reporting will reflect this focus.

The term UXO is used generically for both unexploded ordnance and abandoned explosive ordnance.

Part II. Sustainable Development Goals: Key Issues to Inform Implementation

SDG1 NO POVERTY

SDG 1. Ending poverty Localization and monitoring issues 65.Poverty prevalence is measured through two different approaches. First, the data on standard poverty indicators are largely collected in five-yearly household surveys on expenditures and consumption (LECS). Some development partners have highlighted the need for LECS data to be disaggregated by households with children and women-headed households. In the second approach, the government monitors poverty annually by using administrative data on income and access to basic services collected by the National Committee for Rural Development and Poverty Eradication (NCRDPE), the smallest unit being the household. 66. Social protection data has significant gaps. Lao PDR, with support from development partners, is making efforts to expand the currently narrow scope of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s social protection system. This is due to the high proportion of informal sector workers, who are still largely unprotected. Government spending on essential services can be measured for the health and education sectors but is more difficult to measure for social protection. 67. Administrative data systems need to be strengthened to routinely track access to basic services and economic resources. These are the indicators for Target 1.4, which include access indicators for health (SDG 3), education (SDG 4), improved water supply and sanitation facilities (SDG 6), electricity (SDG 7), and access to an account at a bank or financial institution (SDG 8). MoNRE data systems monitor secure tenure rights to land. 68. Resilience indicators need improvement. Target 1.5 aims at â&#x20AC;&#x153;building the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situationsâ&#x20AC;? and reducing vulnerability relating to natural disasters (repeated under target 13.1). However, the globally recommended SDG indicators for this target do not really measure resilience, but only the impact of disasters and availability of disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies.a Since resilience measures are country-specific, Lao PDR needs to ensure that its national and subnational DRR systems are strong on resilience and adaptive capacity in relation to climate-related hazards and natural disasters, and that DRR strategies are developed in such a way to facilitate robust monitoring with clear timelines and action points.

Development issues and challenges 69. A large part of the population is at risk of falling into poverty due by frequent shocks and the absence of a safety net and risk mitigation measures. Half of the poor people in 2012/13 were not poor half a decade before. Households in agriculture are twice more likely than non-farm households to fall back into poverty due to their exposure to shocks from farm produce price fluctuations, loss of land and adverse weather. In addition, with fragmented health financing programs and limited health insurance coverage, health shocks and catastrophic out-of-pocket expenditures pose a significant risk. Low financial inclusion and the absence of safety nets limit the ability of households to mitigate risks. The non-Lao-Tai groups have seen slower progress in poverty reduction (see Section on MDG 1.1)129

SDG 11 is supposed to measure impact (see SDG Target 11.5).

SDG2 ZERO HUNGER

SDG 2. Achieving food security and improved nutrition Development issues and challenges 70. Lao PDRâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s progress in reducing child stunting remains slow. Appropriate policy and programme frameworks have been developed but implementation lags behind. The National Nutrition Strategy to 2025 and Plan of Action (2016 2020)130 identified the strategies and actions required to make progress.a The challenge is to accelerate the implementation of the recommended approach, which involves a multisector geographic focus, strengthened vertical and horizontal coordination, improved local and institutional capacities for delivering interventions to disadvantaged communities, and behaviour change interventions.131 To enable timely corrective action, a food and nutrition surveillance system that allows more frequent measurements at local level would be needed (see above). 71. The implementation of the Agricultural Development Strategy 2020 needs to be accelerated. To ensure food security and improve the livelihoods of rural communities, the country needs to make the necessary shift from a subsistence to market-oriented agricultural production that is adapted to climate change and focused on smallholder farmers. At the same time, measures to increase agriculture productivity and diversify crops are needed. 72. Inadequate prioritization, suboptimal information sharing and insufficient funding are recurring challenges. The Government relies heavily on external funds to improve nutrition and food security, which undermines sustainability and makes planning unpredictable. Inadequate information sharing among development partners has also slowed down coordination and planning.

Localization and monitoring issues 73. More than one approach is used to monitor food access in Lao PDR. First, the prevalence of undernourishment in the population is calculated for each country by FAO132 for three-year periods from food balance sheets and the food consumed in that country. Second, undernourishment is also tracked by measuring the percentage of population under the Food Poverty Line, that is, those consuming less than the minimum dietary energy requirements of 2,100 kcal/ person/day, as defined by the Government. This is measured in household consumption surveys, notably LECS, which take place every five years. In addition to these two approaches, an indicator involving the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) which requires inclusion of a FIES module in surveys, will be available in the LECS 2017/18. The Food Consumption Score has also been added to the LECS 2017-18. 74. Mechanisms need to be put in place for tracking child malnutrition more frequently than at present. Child stunting is a serious problem in Lao PDR and development partners are supporting the government in coordinated programmes to bring down the prevalence. Child These frameworks are in line with international commitments, notably, the Zero Hunger Challenge (launched by Lao PDR in May 2015) and the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) movement (which it joined in April 2011) a

anthropometry surveys generate the data for indicators on stunting, wasting and overweight among children under five years of age. However, such surveys are not conducted annually and Lao PDR needs a different but complementary approach for tracking malnutrition more frequently, such as sentinel surveillance and/or rapid assessment methods. 75. Much more data is needed on adolescent nutrition in Lao PDR. It is well-known that the nutrition of adolescent girls has a significant impact on biological development and reproductive outcomes. The high rate of malnutrition in girls not only contributes to increased morbidity and mortality associated with pregnancy and delivery, but also to increased risk of delivering low birthweight babies. This contributes to the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition.133 76. Efforts to raise agricultural productivity and increase incomes of small-scale food producers need better measurement methods. At present, the proxy indicator agricultural value added per labour unit is used to measure agricultural productivity. However, this is not sensitive enough. FAO notes that the original SDG indicator (volume of production per labour unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size) could be computed from microdata from household budget surveys and recent agricultural surveys, at least on an experimental basis. The average income of small-scale food producers, by sex and indigenous status is key to poverty reduction and could be measured in the same process. Future design of surveys and agricultural censuses will need to incorporate these concerns.

SDG3

GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

SDG 3. Ensuring healthy lives and well-being Localization and monitoring issues 77. Systems to report on the older (MDG) targets need review and those for new SDG targets need further development. SDG 3 encompasses MDGs 4, 5 and 6, notably on maternal and child health, reproductive and sexual health, HIV/AIDS, malaria and TB, for which monitoring systems are already established. SDG 3 also introduces a set of targets that go beyond the MDGs, such as targets related to neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), hepatitis, water-borne diseases, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), mental health, substance abuse, road traffic deaths and injuries, universal health coverage (UHC), pollution-related deaths and illness, tobacco use, access to affordable medicines and vaccines, and health emergency preparedness. WHO produces global reports providing data estimates for most health-related SDG targets, including those relating to water-related diseases, NTDs, NCDs, suicide, injury, alcohol and tobacco use, and health emergency preparedness. The Government will need to decide whether to use such estimates in its official SDG reports. 78. The Governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health information systems and the civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) system need strengthening. Inadequacies in these systems affect the quality of service data. Well-designed surveys such as LSIS, which provide a useful countercheck of the administrative data, show substantial differences with health service data on some indicators, such as immunization and antenatal care. Improvement of country monitoring systems also requires identifying and including SDG indicators that currently lie outside existing administrative reports. Hepatitis B incidence, for example, is not currently available and hepatitis B immunization is used as a proxy indicator. The established monitoring systems also make it difficult to monitor indicators specific to adolescent girls.

Development issues and challenges 79. Improving service availability and quality remains a challenge. The high adolescent birth rate requires prioritizing the availability and use of contraceptives, especially among unmarried adolescents who still have difficulties in accessing such services, despite the national policy on birth spacing.134 Another challenge is to strengthen outreach so that vulnerable groups are reached with preventive and promotive maternal and child health interventions. Improvement on many SDG 3 areas require interventions outside the health sector, such as programmes that improve livelihoods, educate women, ensure clean water supply, improve transportation and communication for referral, and address financial constraints among the poor. 80. Health system financing and health system reform are priorities. Many health commodities and outreach activities are still funded by external sources. Increased and sustained levels of funding are required to accelerate interventions in poorer and remote areas. In rural and remote areas where levels of child mortality are the highest, many health centres lack the required quality and composition of staff, and are unable to offer basic services. Frequent stockouts135 of essential drugs underscore the need to improve management and logistics systems. Lao PDR will need to accelerate its health sector reform strategy to address such gaps and challenges. 42

81. Financial, behavioural and institutional factors hamper efforts to combat HIV. Funding for the HIV/AIDS response is not sustainable, being largely from external sources, which is declining. Allocations from the national budget are required for HIV response. Other challenges impeding progress towards the global targets for addressing HIV beyond 2015136 include cultural taboos, the illegality of drug use and sex work, difficulties in reaching the key high-risk populations, and the mobility of young migrant populations and their partners/clients. The integration of HIV testing and treatment into the health care system is constrained by the limited capacity of service providers and the low coverage of health services, especially antenatal care coverage. 82. Communicable diseases are still a major challenge. Despite a reduced share in total deaths,a recent years have seen a high incidence and outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases, zoonotic diseases, and newly emerging diseases. Such diseases, together with endemic infections, the use of counterfeit drugs and rising antimicrobial resistance, pose a serious threat to global public health. The resurgence of malaria with a confirmed artemisinin-resistant strain risks undermining the efficacy of artemisinin-based combination therapies. Lao PDR has committed to achieving malaria elimination by 2030, which highlights the need for greater efforts in this area. The first national tuberculosis prevalence survey in Lao PDR (2010-2011) revealed weaknesses in TB control services, such as stagnating notification rates, weak drug resistance surveillance, inadequate access, and poor quality services that lead to missed opportunities for diagnosis and treatment of TB â&#x20AC;&#x201C; especially among children and the elderly.137 83. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) pose a growing threat. An estimated 48 per cent of total deaths in Lao PDR in 2014 were due to NCDs.138 Cases of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer have multiplied, particularly in urban areas and, increasingly, in rural areas. WHO has identified adult risk factors, among them a high rate of tobacco use.139 The ageing of the population will see NCDs grow in importance within the health sector. 84. Injuries have increased in frequency and severity. An estimated 9 per cent of total deaths in the Lao PDR were attributed to injury, according to a WHO report.140 Road accident statistics show a rise of the death rate from road accidents, from 8.6 per 100,000 in 2006 to 15.3 per 100,000 in 2015.141 The increase is largely associated with unsafe road conditions, rapid expansion of roads, the growth of motorbikes and vehicles, and young inexperienced motorists.

The reduced share is due to the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and injury as causes of mortality.

SDG4 QUALITY EDUCATION

SDG 4. Ensuring inclusive and quality education Localization and monitoring issues 85. Lao PDR has an effective education management information system (EMIS), which produces data robust enough for annual planning. The SDG 4 indicators relating to access, completion, gender parity and education infrastructure and facilities can be monitored through EMIS. Others relating to ICT, literacy and numeracy are measured through periodic surveys. While EMIS has information on technical and vocational education and training (TVET), this will need strengthening and linkage with employment outcomes. EMIS already produces data routinely disaggregated by sex. Additionally, the system needs to expand to include disability status.a 86. The education system currently lacks mechanisms to regularly assess and report on the quality and outcome of services. Current data on learning outcomes in primary school is obtained through one-off or infrequent assessments such as the Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM142), Early Grade Reading Assessment (EGRA),143 Early Grade Math Assessment (EGMA) and Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes (ASLO).144 The MoES will need to take a lead in instituting such mechanisms for its own measurement of learning outcomes, using consistent standards across time (see below). 87. Survey standards need to be harmonized for longitudinal tracking. Some indicators, by their very nature, can only be measured in surveys (e.g., ICT skills and literacy). Successive surveys, censuses and assessments, therefore, need to follow the same standards for a given indicator. For example, discrepancies between self-reported and tested literacy rates in different surveys over the past decade make it difficult to interpret the trends. While the SDG indicator on literacy specifies tested literacy, the MDG indicator did not. Similarly, assessments of learning outcomes for primary and lower secondary education and the outcomes of TVET will need to follow standards that can be tracked across time.

Development issues and challenges 88. Less accessible areas continue to lag behind. School attendance, survival and literacy are lowest among children and young people living in rural areas difficult to access, those with uneducated mothers, those living in households that are in the poorest quintile, and those in the non-Lao-Tai ethnic groups (although this last is narrowing or changed for some indicators145). These are also the communities where the demand for education, especially secondary education, is low. Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lack of school readiness is a key factor. Pregnant adolescents have to discontinue school and are not encouraged to return to school after delivery. 89. The countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shortage of skilled workers stems largely from the poor quality of basic education. Poor literacy and numeracy skills make it difficult to ensure a workforce that is able to meet the changing demands of the economy and benefit fully from ASEAN integration. The poor outcomes of basic education are linked to the shortage of appropriately qualified teachers,146 a

The 2015 census recorded an overall prevalence of disability of 2.8 per cent among the population of age 5 years and above.

weaknesses in curricula and teaching-learning materials, and insufficient facilities and infrastructure. Those from non-Lao-Tai communities face the additional difficulty of being educated in a language that is not their mother tongue, which has a direct impact on their ability to learn the foundational skills required to graduate from primary education. 90. Education infrastructure is still an issue. As of 2015, an estimated 1,500 primary schools were incomplete,147 mostly in remote rural areas, forcing children to leave school before finishing their primary education. Children in remote areas find it even more difficult to access secondary schools. To address this, the government is expanding the construction of secondary schools with dormitories for children.148 91. Teacher training and deployment need to be addressed.a Remote areas, usually non-LaoTai communities, face difficulties in attracting and maintaining qualified teachers. Assessments suggest that teachers may not be delivering the high-quality teaching to develop problem solving or independent thinking skills. The existing curricula and limited teacher resources tend to reinforce rote learning as a teaching methodology.149,150 District education offices have insufficient budgets for supervision visits, which undermines in-service development. Continuous professional development is infrequent.151 92. Learning environments are often inadequate. The majority of schools are unable to meet the 1:1 student-textbook ratio set out in education policy.152 Nearly half the primary schools lack basic water and sanitation facilities that meet national standards (see SDG 6). School Block Grants are not always disbursed in a timely manner, or do not always provide adequate funding for schools that need it most.

The primary teacher-school ratio in Vientiane Capital is 6.4 per school, but only 2.4 in Phongsaly.

SDG5 GENDER EQUALITY

SDG 5. Achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls Localization and monitoring issues 93. More frequent and systematic data updates are needed for gender indicators. The indicators relating to early marriage, reproductive health access, and unpaid domestic and care work are collected through household surveys, such as LSIS and LECS, which are currently implemented every five years. Incorporating relevant indicators into more than one survey (e.g., unpaid domestic and care work in LSIS, LECS and LFS) would provide more frequent data updates, providing the same definitions are used. The SDG targets on gender discrimination in legal frameworks are being monitored by qualitative reviews of the legislation. All ministries and entities in the country need to systematically implement disaggregation of all relevant data by sex. 94. Administrative systems need to be tailored to measure indicators on adolescent pregnancy and political empowerment. At present, the health administrative data system is not set up to monitor adolescent pregnancy, but this needs to be done to annually monitor the priority issue of adolescent pregnancy, which is a proxy for early marriage.153 The National Assembly and the Ministry of Home Affairs generates data at least annually on the share of women in leadership positions. Apart from data on women in the National Assembly, however, data on other positions is not easily available. Systems to standardize and report on these indicators (for example, which levels of leadership should be reported on) will need to be developed. 95. Data on violence and access to land resources need more attention. Data on violence against women and girls is not regularly collected, as measurement of prevalence has to rely on special surveys.a The design of such surveys have to take into account the socially taboo, complex and hidden nature of abuse and violence.154 Safety and ethical issues complicate data collection, and interpretation needs to take account of the tendency to under-report violence. Lao PDR cannot currently report on female ownership or secure rights over agricultural land, but nonetheless, these indicators should be retained as the UN plans to issue guidelines on incorporating these indicators into existing survey

Development issues and challenges 96. The institutions with mandates to promote gender equality and womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s empowerment need to be strengthened. The operational capacities of the Lao Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Union (LWU) and National Committee for the Advancement of Women, Mothers and Children (NCAWMC) need to be enhanced at all levels, and their membership and networks expanded, including into the private sector. While LWU and NCAWMC are not directly responsible for most actions required to achieve the different SDG 5 targets, they should be able to play a key role in monitoring the programmes and actions of other ministries and working with those ministries to advise on corrective strategies as required. However, this requires sufficient operating budgets for LWU and NCAWMC.

This is because many abused women do not report violence and those who do, tend to be only the most serious cases.

97. The share of women in leadership and management-level positions is still unsatisfactory, despite the goals set at each level. The NSEDP stipulates that the share of women should increase to 20 per cent of leading management-level positions at provincial/capital and district level, 10 per cent at village level, 30 per cent at central level, 30 per cent for the members of the 8th National Assembly. 98. Women and girls lag behind in having access to education, health, and legal services. The gender parity indices for secondary education and literacy, in particular, shows that females lag behind males (Section on SDG 4), despite the overall progress of education in the country. Lao PDR has one of the highest rates of early marriage in the region. The demand for contraception among women and adolescent girls has yet to be fully met. Women need to have access to legal and counselling services, especially in cases of domestic violence. The social welfare system still lacks appropriate prevention, detection, response and protection mechanisms that protect women and children from violence (SDG 16). 99. Women are still constrained in livelihood options and economic opportunities. Mainly due to their lower education levels, women constitute the majority of workers in the informal sectors and among unpaid family workers, and have less access to and control of farming inputs and credit. For women to penetrate and fully interact with markets, women-centric strategies need to be implemented. These include promoting female entrepreneurs, developing fairer labour policies, ensuring that young mothers can stay employed and expanding the role of women in vocational education, skills development and income generation programmes. 100. Marginalized women require special attention. Policies relating to each sectoral programme need to promote inclusion of marginalized women and girls, such as female migrant workers, women in unpaid or underpaid employment, and women and girls from ethnic minorities. Targeting women in such groups is essential to achieve sustainable progress in other SDG areas (such as prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls, child nutrition, maternal health, secondary education, HIV/AIDS, trafficking in persons, and employment).

SDG6 CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION

SDG 6. Ensuring sustainable water and sanitation Localization and monitoring issues 101. Measuring access to “safely managed services” will require new efforts. “Safely managed drinking water services” and “safely managed sanitation services” include assurances of the availability and quality of drinking water (faecal and chemical), and regulation by appropriate authorities, as well as a handwashing facility with soap and water. These still pose measurement challenges. The specification of a “handwashing facility with soap and water” is additional and means that access to “safely managed sanitation services” would be much lower than access to improved sanitation facilities (the MDG indicator), because the SDG target would include only the population using both improved sanitation facilities and a handwashing facility with soap. The indicator on open defecation still needs to be monitored since this remains a priority issue. 102. Water quality, water use efficiency and water resource management pose measurement challenges. While freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources is already reported for the MDGs, data collection systems in Lao PDR are currently not set up to monitor the SDG indicators on safely treated wastewater, bodies of water with good ambient water quality, and water use efficiency. WHO notes that it is possible to monitor the percentage of urban population using water from sources with zero e-coli, as a proxy; however, data on rural water quality is not systematically available. The degree of integrated water resources management implementation is calculated from special surveys with international support, with the last report from Lao PDR in 2006. Better ways of monitoring will be needed as Lao PDR's extensive and rapid development of hydropower is affecting the country's water resources. 103. Systems are not yet in place for tracking financing and policies for water and sanitation. It is critical for sanitation and water expenditure to be reported separately, and to track both international and national commitments.a The coordinated government spending plan for the WASH sector needs to include domestic spending. Policies and procedures for participation of local communities in water and sanitation management cannot be tracked, since monitoring systems for rural WASH services are still incomplete.

Development issues and challenges 104. Lao PDR is rich in water resources, mainly good quality fresh water, which needs to be managed well. Water resources in the country are used in several sectors including irrigation, hydro-power, navigation, fisheries, urban water supply, and rural water supply. Water usage is predominantly agricultural.155 More attention is needed to water stress, water use efficiencyb and water management. An integrated approach to water management would provide a more careful hydropower project selection process and identify operating rules that avoid conflicts between facilities and among water users, including transboundary priorities. While this may reduce the pace of hydropower expansion, it will still allow for sizeable growth and will better match the growth in installed capacity with infrastructure improvements and demand.156

a b

Notably, the commitments made by Lao PDR at the Sanitation and Water for All High Level Meeting. Standard methodologies are being developed, according to FAO.

105. Water safety and quality need increased attention and systematic monitoring. Water pollution from agricultural and industrial sectors, including mineral exploitation, is a growing problem, especially in the northern provinces, due to poor management by local administrations and concerned sectors. Groundwater is and will probably remain the main source of potential rural and small town water supply, especially in the areas located far from surface water sources. The water is not routinely tested, although arsenic contamination is a significant problem in some areas. 106. Poor hygiene and sanitation continue to pose challenges, especially in rural areas. Tackling these challenges will require dedicated funding, a sanitation monitoring system and behaviour change interventions to stop open defecation. Urban sanitation is also poor, with inadequate drainage and sewerage systems, and untreated effluent from households and industries running into low-lying areas, posing a threat to public health and the environment. Lack of access to water, sanitation and hygiene facilities and lack of hygiene awareness has a negative impact on girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; education, girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sexual and reproductive health, and dignity. Lack of adequate facilities and materials for menstrual hygiene has been linked to absenteeism and even drop-out of girls from school. Menstruation is a taboo subject creating stigma, shame, and silence among young girls, which often continues into adulthood and perpetuates the cycle of gender inequality.

SDG7 AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY

SDG 7. Ensuring sustainable energy access Localization and monitoring issues 107. Data on electricity access and household energy sources may be derived from administrative systems and surveys or census. Energy access is measured by the electrification ratio and by the use of clean fuels and technology.a The electrification ratio is available from administrative data systems in the Ministry of Energy and Mines and from census /survey data, although the latter has to be recalculated by population instead of households. The second indicator, the proportion of population with primary reliance on clean fuels and technology, is obtained only from census or survey data on the use of firewood, charcoal and electricity at household level. 108. SDG 7 also uses international estimates calculated from the Governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s energy balance statistics. Renewable energy share and energy intensity are calculated from national energy balances and statistics produced by the Ministry of Energy and Mines. The International Energy Agency recalculates the renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption, and the primary energy intensity to produce internationally comparable statistics.157 Primary energy intensity is obtained by dividing total primary energy supply over gross domestic product, which indicates how much energy is used to produce one unit of economic output. It therefore indicates the efficiency with which an economy is able to use energy to produce economic output. A lower ratio indicates that less energy is used to produce one unit of output.

Development issues and challenges 109. Meeting domestic demand for energy is one of the national priorities. Domestic demand for electricity is expected to increase rapidly, reflecting the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s policy on the acceleration of rural electrification and industrial development. The planned expansion of mining activities, cement production, and special economic zones are expected to lead to a four- to six-fold increase in domestic demand for energy. Since the supply sources are largely in the north and south, while the growth in demand will be most rapid in the central region, heavy investment in transmission and distribution systems will need to accompany major investments in power generation. All of this will require substantial increase in financial resources. 158 110. Optimal development of hydropower resources will require harnessing the potential on a sustainable basis and addressing the associated challenges. This means retaining ample electricity for rural electrification and using revenues generated from electricity exports to decrease the dependence on natural resource-intensive sectors. The challenges associated with large hydropower projects will need to be addressed, by properly assessing and minimizing negative social and environmental impacts, balancing domestic consumption needs and export opportunities, optimizing trade-offs between short-term benefits (such as dividends from independent power producers) and longer-term benefits (e.g., unified transmission network with interconnection to GMS countries), and mobilizing and managing financial resources in a manner that avoids damage to other components of the economy, such as exchange rate effects on agriculture and other exports. 159 a

Non-solid fuels are generally defined as clean fuels.

111. Addressing the above issues will require institutional strengthening in the energy sector. Planning for the sector will need to go beyond the development of the Lao PDRâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hydropower export potential, to the efficient utilization and development of all energy resources. Institutional strengthening is also needed to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency, in particular, to facilitate on-grid and off-grid electricity generation, plan and develop pricing policies, and establish procedures for streamlined review of private investment proposals. Furthermore, the capacity for energy demand-side management (DSM), energy auditing, and regulatory interventions needs to be strengthened. 160

SDG8 DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

SDG 8. Promoting inclusive economic growth and decent work Localization and monitoring issues 112. Data systems on employment are generally weak. Most data are obtained from labour force surveys and censuses, since most workers are in the informal sector. The components of decent work are the quality of employment, and the universality or inclusiveness of the benefits. The quality of employment in Lao PDR is monitored by the average hourly earnings, unemployment rate and the share of own account workers and unpaid family workers in total employment. (The last is a proxy for the global indicator of the proportion of informal employment in non-agriculture employment.a) However, this is not fully satisfactory and future surveys may need to revisit the definition of informal sector employment for Lao PDR.161 The inclusiveness of benefits is monitored by disaggregated of data for these indicators, for example to see if women are receiving equal pay for equal work. Currently, however, disaggregation by sex and by disability status, as required by the SDG target, is not possible. 113. Census or special surveys are required for collecting data on youth and on child labour. Administrative systems lack age-disaggregated data and data on informal sector employment, although MoES records can provide estimates of youth who are not in education or training (however, there is no corresponding figures for employment). Child labour data is only available from special surveys. The definition of child labour in Lao PDR does not exactly correspond to international definitions. Lao PDR defines and measures separately the proportion of children in prohibited hazardous occupations and tasks by sex and age. 114. Financial services access indicators are best monitored by the Bank of Lao (BoL) through its existing administrative systems. While the 2014 FinScope survey162 collected comprehensive data on this target, such surveys are not annual, since future funding cannot be guaranteed. The BoL should be used for regular reporting while survey data, if relevant and available, can be used to complement the analysis. The localized indicator includes access to automated teller machines (ATMs), bank branches, service units and microfinance institutions, as recommended by BoL.b 115. Lao PDR has the capacity to monitor other SDG 8 indicators with administrative systems; however, such systems need strengthening. Indicators 8.a.1 and 8.a.2 are tracked by the MoIC (mean number of days to clear imports and the number of days to obtain an operating license). Indicator 8.b.1 will require the MoF and MoLSW to agree on the definition of social protection and employment expenditure and to set up administrative systems to monitor this regularly. Systems for monitoring occupational safety and health need to be built up. The MoLSWâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s systems have data on the number of cases of occupational injury but not frequency rates.163 Initially, therefore the MoLSW will only be able to monitor the number of cases of fatal and nonfatal occupational injury reported during the reference year, in collaboration with the MoH. Given the large share of informal sector workers, underreporting is likely.

In Lao PDR, non-agriculture employment accounted for only 30 per cent of the overall employment in 2010. The original SDG indicator is limited to â&#x20AC;&#x153;Number of commercial bank branches and automated teller machines (ATMs) per 100,000 adultsâ&#x20AC;? a b

116. Sustainable tourism is measured through a proxy indicator, as the system for national accounts is not yet fully developed. The NSEDP prioritizes green growth, including revenue from the tourism sector. The globally recommended SDG indicators are tourism direct GDP and number of jobs in tourism industries. In 2015, the ADB reported that tourismâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s direct contribution to gross domestic product was 4.6% for Lao PDR, while tourism direct employment was reported as 122,900 with a 50% share of women in such jobs.164 The government has opted to use the revenue from tourism as a proxy indicator. The ongoing support from development partners to strengthen the national accounts system will need to address SDG and NSEDP reporting needs.

Development issues and challenges 117. Lao PDRâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growth pattern is resource intensive, without a commensurate number of decent work opportunities. Competitiveness outside of natural resources is low. Agriculture, where two thirds of the labour force is engaged, grew at 3.7 per cent on average in the past decade, just slightly faster than the growth in hours worked and mainly driven by an increase in acreage, rather than productivity.165 118. Training and skills development of the labour force is a priority, especially for those engaged in subsistence agriculture or in the informal sector. The informal workforce remains the backbone of the Lao economy. Improved skills and knowledge would contribute towards increasing the value of their wor .166 Training small-holder farmers on organic production methods and Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS)a can provide valuable skills to expand economic opportunities, vitalize enterprises and businesses related to organic products, and help them cope with challenges posed by the rise of regional and global competition. caling up TVET programmes and strengthening linkages with the private sector, such as programmes that provide skills training for SME workers as interns or apprentices in a given enterprise. Such partnerships will require guidelines and legislation, including on institutional agreements and apprenticeship practices.167 For Lao to fully benefit from its entry into the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), TVET programmes also need to improve the employability of Lao workers in higher-wage jobs. 119. Resettled, landless and remote rural communities will require support in skills development, training, and access to credit. The resettlement of rural communities may be related to the granting of land concessions for development projects, or to policies to curb shifting cultivation and improve livelihood opportunities. Moreover, most jobs in the non-farm economic enterprises sector require fluency in Lao, which small ethnic groups may not have. Groups who remain in their remote rural communities will need to have a stake in the sustainable management and use of forests, including the production, processing and marketing non-timber forest products.168

Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS), more commonly known as eco-labels, are sustainability metrics which ensure that products are manufactured and produced in a more sustainable way. a

120. Capacity strengthening of the MoLSW is a priority. Areas where support is required include labour market information and analysis, institutional data systems (especially to incorporate the data issues identified above) and the design and implementation of a social protection floor. The majority of the Lao population have no access to social protection. Only workers employed in the formal Lao economy (less than 20 per cent of the labour force) benefit from comprehensive social security coverage, while workers in the informal economy lack basic coverage in the event of income loss due to maternity, sickness, unemployment, work injury, disability, old age, or death of the income earner. Health insurance coverage is still quite low. Furthermore, a large proportion of the population in Lao PDR still lacks access to adequate social protection.169

SDG9 INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

SDG 9. Promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization Localization and monitoring issues 121. Lao PDR is able to track progress towards SDG 9 infrastructure targets with existing systems. Road access is tracked through the country’s NCRDPE, which counts only the villages that are accessible with all-weather roads, a standard higher than the global SDG indicator which specifies only that the population live within 2 km of an all-season road. Data on passenger and freight volumes is collected annually by the Ministry of Transport. ICT infrastructure is measured by the share of population covered by a mobile network.170 The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications collects the data from internet service providers and can monitor the indicator using LSB population estimates. 122. Monitoring ODA and other official flows to infrastructure will require agreement on definitions. The indicator for Target 9 a was adapted to include both ODA and foreign direct investment (FDI) earmarked for infrastructure projects. However, the government will need to define the scope of “infrastructure” – whether it means ODA to Ministry of Public Works and Transport only, or whether it is a broader term, since in Lao PDR, there is no functional classification, but only sectoral budget allocation. The government also needs to decide on whether this would cover only on-budget ODA or all ODA to infrastructure, since much of the ODA goes outside the Government budget system, making it hard to monitor total inflows. 123. The indicators for inclusive and sustainable industrialization requires special surveys and calculations. The MoIC, with UNIDO support, is strengthening its capacity through a survey of manufacturing establishments, which is planned to be annual. The survey is expected to produce data on indicators 9.3.1 and 9.b.1, which should provide baseline data. However, the survey will need to be repeated by MoIC at agreed intervals for SDG reporting. Employment data in the informal sector needs to be collected by labour force surveys. Only international estimates are currently available for the indicator on CO2 emission.171

Development issues and challenges 124. Continued efforts are needed to further develop transport infrastructure. Regional transport linkages have improved connectivity to neighbouring countries, leading to increased intraregional trade. Road transport accounts for nearly 90% of passengers, and some 81% of freight volumes.172 However, the length and quality of the road infrastructure is inadequate,173 especially the roads in provincial districts and rural areas, affecting linkages between the domestic and regional road transport systems. Roads in urban areas need to be maintained and upgraded. Insufficient transport infrastructure and poor services hold back sustainable and more inclusive growth by discouraging private investment (e.g., in tourism) and by perpetuating the current patterns of imbalanced growth.174

125. Outside of major cities, infrastructure improvements for services have not kept pace with demand. The reasons include funding and capacity constraints for construction and maintenance, low population density in rural areas, and limited decentralized planning.175 Quality environmental infrastructure and services are needed to support the collection, treatment, and storage of solid waste and wastewater; availability of piped clean water supply; and access to reliable electricity in all municipalities. The telecommunication infrastructure also needs further development with the use of up-to-date technology.176 126. SMEs are potentially the backbone of the non-resources private sector, but are hampered by skill shortages, lack of access to technology, finance and markets. Skill shortages are cited by businesses as the most serious constraint. Although company investments in training are significant, retention rates are low and skilled labour tends to migrate to neighbouring countries. Difficulty in accessing finance, especially for domestic companies, is cited as the second most serious constraint faced by the private sector. SMEs are also affected by a difficult business environment, despite improvements in recent years. Cross-border trade facilitation, including sanitary and phytosanitary measures, remains to be improved. Access to technology is especially required for the development of agro-industries and food industries. Finally, without addressing issues of product quality and productivity, SMEs will not be able to face increasing competition within ASEAN.177

SDG10 REDUCED INEQUALITIES

SDG 10. Reducing inequality Localization and monitoring issues 127. Systems are already in place to track the status of the left behind population, but the administrative data may need some retooling. Consumption surveys (LECS) and administrative data from the NCRDPE Poverty Monitoring Programme can be used (see SDG 1). Both approaches are useful, but not comparable, and the NCRDPE approach may need revisiting to produce regular data on income for the SDG indicators. 128. Lao PDR has localized the indicators for the target on financial regulation and monitoring. The indicator will track the revision and enactment of four laws and related regulations in compliance with international standards. The Bank of Lao is undertaking this process, with World Bank support, on the following: i) Law on Bank of Lao PDR, ii) Law on Commercial Bank, iii) Securities Law and (iv) Payment System Law. The National Assembly has to approve the revision after which it has to promulgate the new Law. 129. Other SDG 10 indicators face measurement challenges. The impact of sound fiscal, wage and social protection policies is meant to be tracked through the labour share of GDP, comprising wages and social protection transfers. However, the government noted that measuring social protection transfers would be a challenge. The adapted indicator therefore measures only the labour (wages) share of GDP. Another data gap relates to discrimination: it is currently not possible to measure the global indicator on the proportion of population who â&#x20AC;&#x153;personally felt discriminated against or harassed.â&#x20AC;? Reporting on migration (Targets 10.7 and 10.c) also faces data gaps (notably on recruitment costs borne by employees, yearly income earned in country of destination, and remittance costs).

Development issues and challenges 130. Tracking the inclusiveness of growth in Lao PDR is crucial. Lao PDR has a high GDP growth rates. Yet it is estimated that each per cent increase in GDP per capita contributed to a 0.4 per cent reduction in poverty in Lao PDR, less than that of some neighbours. Inequality has widened, with an increase in Gini coefficient and the gains for the bottom 40 per cent lower than those for the rest of the population.178 The absence of a safety net and risk mitigation measures expose a large part of the population to the risk of falling into poverty. Households in agriculture are twice more likely than non-farm households to fall back into poverty due to their exposure to shocks from farm produce price fluctuations, loss of land and adverse weather. Health shocks and catastrophic out-of-pocket expenditures pose a significant risk due to fragmented health financing programs and limited health insurance coverage.179 Lao PDR lacks comprehensive social transfer programmes for the most vulnerable segments of the Lao population.180 131. Non-monetary dimensions of deprivation add to the impact of poverty on vulnerable groups. These include persistently high malnutrition, low female literacy and education, high rates of adolescent pregnancies, lack of access and uneven quality of basic services. The majority of working age people from these groups have incomplete primary education or no formal education, limiting their livelihood options. 73

SDG11 SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES

SDG 11. Making cities and settlements inclusive, safe and resilient Localization and monitoring issues 132. Lao PDR lacks an official definition of inadequate housing although this is an MDG 7 indicator. The UN definition notes that this SDG indicator is the proportion of people living in households, which lack one or more of the following: durable housing, sufficient living space, easy access to safe water, access to adequate sanitation, and security of tenure. However, in Lao PDR, non-durable housing materials are culturally acceptable and should not be defined as “slum” or “inadequate.” In the Lao context, the 2013 MDG Progress Report defined “inadequate housing” as houses with any one of the following: unsafe water, inadequate sanitation, and earthen floor (or floor with “fundamental materials”). The same approach should be taken for SDG 11. 133. Protection of cultural and natural heritage is measured by the number of sites and state budget support to these sites. Lao PDR has more than 2,100 tourist sites, of which there are 1,200 ecotourism sites, over 600 cultural sites and almost 300 historical sites and two world heritage towns.181 Ecotourism sites will need to be measured separately from cultural and historical sites, as this was one of the green growth indicators adopted for the NSEDP. Moreover, the “state budget support” to these sites will need to be defined. 134. The national system for measuring disaster impact needs to be harmonized with international standards. Currently, government data and international data from EM-DAT are not the same.182 Additionally, the procedures for measuring direct economic losses need to be in line with international methodologies, such as Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA).a,183 The UN guidelines on this SDG define direct economic losses as agriculture loss, damage to industrial and commercial facilities, damage to housings and critical infrastructures. This group of indicators also include reporting on national and district disaster risk reduction strategies in line with the Sendai Framework (see also targets 1.5 and 13.1). 135. Data for measuring progress towards sustainable cities is patchy. MoNRE can provide estimates on the coverage of waste collection services in cities; for recycling, this is possible only for Vientiane Capital (see SDG 12). It will be important to strengthen these systems and ensure the consistency of definitions. MoNRE can report on the air quality in selected cities (i.e., the annual mean levels of fine particulate matter), but only on PM10 and not on PM2.5, although both are required. The indicator should be weighted by population;184 however, since air quality is measured only in certain cities, it may not be possible to do nationwide population weighting. Currently, Lao PDR cannot report on the global indicators related to sustainable transport systems, urban planning and management.

PDNA is a government-led exercise, with integrated support from the United Nations, the European Commission, the World Bank and other national and international actors. a

Development issues and challenges 136. Urbanization is acquiring increasing importance in Lao PDR. While urbanization is still low compared to the global average, available information shows a significant rural-urban migration.185 Lao PDR will need to invest in services and infrastructure that use design principles and technologies to develop sustainable and liveable cities. Setting the right policies and standards form the start will provide the opportunity to achieve good urban outcomes. As cities are also the places that lead the way in lifestyle and consumption, embarking on policies and practices to facilitate environmentally sustainable consumption would be beneficial for the country. 137. Protection of heritage sites will require strengthened management controls to prevent degradation. Tourism in protected areas needs to be properly managed to generate opportunities for local economic diversification, and raise public revenue for the preservation of assets. Key threats to natural heritage sites include weak enforcement of laws and regulations, development of extractive industries, expansion of commercial agriculture, and wildlife poaching. Cultural and historical sites will need more stringent use and enforcement of cultural heritage impact assessments as part of development planning, strengthened conservation planning, heritage education for residents and tourists, promotion of cultural industries, and reinvestment of taxes and fees into heritage conservation.186

SDG12 RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION

SDG 12. Ensuring sustainable consumption and production Localization and monitoring issues 138. Most targets under SDG 12 still lack robust measurement systems. UNEP will provide support to MoNRE to set up systems for measuring indicators such as the Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP), National Action Plan, material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP).187 FAO will provide support in estimating post-harvest losses, but other food waste and food losses cannot be measured. Hazardous waste data is available only for Vientiane Capital. Similarly, the rate of recycling solid waste is available only for Vientiane Capital. 139. Process indicators will track awareness-raising and education on sustainable development, and the development of sustainable tourism. The process indicators are the development of primary and secondary curricula and teacher education programmes on sustainable development, the number of universities with sustainability campus plans, and the adoption and implementation of the Lao PDR Action Plan for Pakse Declaration (ASEAN Roadmap for Strategic Development of Ecotourism Clusters & Tourism Corridors).

Development issues and challenges 140. The relative newness of SCP in Lao PDRa means that effective policy and operational frameworks are lacking. Lao PDR needs to formulate a national policy framework on SCP. SMEs will need to develop their human resources and skills to practise SCP. Both policy makers and the public will need to be made aware of SCP. Government entities and SMEs also information on and access to the best available technologies and environmental practices, technology innovations, and marketing and tools for new market development.188

The SCP concept was introduced to Lao PDR in 2005 (Phonsavath, 2017).

SDG13 CLIMATE ACTION

SDG 13. Combat climate change and its impacts Localization and monitoring issues 141. The global indicators for SDG 13 do not adequately capture Target 13.1 on resilience and adaptive capacity. Instead, these indicators cover the impact of disaster, and the establishment of disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies and plans of action.a Lao PDR, therefore, needs to develop national and subnational DRR systems that are strong on resilience and adaptive capacity in relation to climate-related hazards and natural disasters. Its DRR strategies should also facilitate robust monitoring, with clear timelines and action points. 142. Process indicators for Target 13.2 are meant to monitor the integration of climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. The most recent climate change instrument is the Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), which Lao PDR submitted to the UNFCCC in 2015.189 The NDC was the basis of Lao PDRâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ratification of the Paris Agreement in 2016. The NDC lists five priority sectors for climate action â&#x20AC;&#x201C; agriculture, forestry, health, water, transport/urban development. Lao PDR will report on the progress of its Intended NDC implementation, which also includes progress on previous commitments such as the 2009 National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA)190 and the National Strategy on Climate Change. Qualitative reviews will be required to assess the integration of mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning into Lao PDR's education curricula at primary, secondary and tertiary level. The MoES, in cooperation with other ministries, will need to take stock of all the SDG issues that need to be integrated into education curricula (e.g., SDG target 13.3, SDG target 12.8 on sustainable development and lifestyles).

Development issues and challenges 143. Climate change in Lao PDR is predicted to have severe impacts. Studies indicate that Lao PDR will experience pronounced changes in rainfall and temperature patterns by 2050, with significant ramifications for ecosystems, and communities and the livelihoods that depend on them. The central and northern Annamites region of Lao PDR will experience some of the largest relative increases in precipitation that are projected for the Lower Mekong Basin. More precipitation during the traditional growing season will impact crops through increased flooding, waterlogging of soils, and higher incidence of fungal disease and pests. Large rainfall events (i.e., greater than 100 mm/day) will occur more frequently, triggering floods and landslides. The projected increase in both average and extreme temperatures is projected to have severe impacts on crops, livestock, fisheries, and human health. 191 144. Vulnerabilities due to climate change need to be addressed in every sector. Regardless of the livelihood sector, successful adaptation will require flexibility and a diversity of approaches to adapt to shifting conditions. The poor will be most affected as they have least options to mitigate risks. Vulnerability towards climate change is high when a country like Laos depends on natural resources for its development, such as rain-fed rice cultivation and hydro-power generation. The global indicators are 13.1.1: Number of countries with national and local disaster risk reduction strategies, and 13.1.2. Number of deaths, missing persons and persons affected by disaster per 100,000 people a

Secondary livelihood options need to be promoted in order for farmers and others likely to be affected by natural disaster induced by climate change. Adapting agriculture and livestock to climate change will require strategies that promote agricultural diversification and mixed farming systems and increase resilience. Lao PDRâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capture fisheries in their current form are highly vulnerable to climate change and a shift towards aquaculture should be promoted (SDG 14). 145. Increased frequency of floods and droughts will bring greater health challenges. These include increased outbreaks of vector-borne infectious diseases. To enhance resilience, the public health system will require strengthening through improved surveillance and warning systems and enhanced infectious disease control programs (vaccines, vector control, case detection, and treatment), and better maintenance of infrastructure.192 146. Reforestation, afforestation, improved forest management will continue to be priorities. Better managed forests and improved use of land help reduce vulnerability to climate change and advance both mitigation and adaptation objectives. On the other hand, climate change threatens forests by making forest fires, pest and disease infestations more likely and by generating extreme events such as increased precipitation and flooding. These cause slope instability and landslides. All these are exacerbated by the degradation of watersheds resulting from unsustainable practices such as illegal logging, slash-and-burn and shifting cultivation. 147. Lao PDR will also need to protect its water resources against the worst effect of climate change. Adaptation measures will need to be put in place, such as improved flood control facilities, protection and rehabilitation of existing irrigation and drainage systems, creation of multi-purpose reservoirs, dams and water-impounding systems, surveys of underground water sources in drought-prone areas; and development of integrated management plans for river basin and water catchment areas. Water sector institutions will require strengthening, and water management improved with strong monitoring and information systems as a basis for more efficient and equitable use of water resources in all sectors. 193 148. Governance, institutional and policy gaps need to be addressed. The mandate for disaster risk reduction and climate change is split between the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and this will require strong interministerial coordination and promotion of a multi-sectoral approach. Clearly defined leaders for climate action and disaster risk management are needed at local and community level. Experience elsewhere shows that communities with strong local actors come through disasters better than those managed from the central level.194

SDG14 LIFE BELOW WATER

SDG 14. Conserve and sustainably use aquatic resources Localization and monitoring issues 149. SDG 14 needs to be renamed and adapted to the Lao PDR context. The global list of SDGs lacks freshwater resources as a separate goal, although freshwater resources form part of SDG 15. Lao PDR is a land-locked country, but certain targets under SDG 14 are relevant to freshwater resources. Lao PDR, therefore, has replaced the “oceans, seas and marine resources” in the original formulation of SDG 14 with “aquatic resources,” which means lakes, rivers and streams. Indicators for the three relevant targets under SDG 14 have been adapted for use by Lao PDR. 150. The management of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels is a priority for Lao PDR. The country is able to use the kilometres and numbers of fish conservation zones as a proxy indicator. The globally recommended indicator “Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels” cannot be used, as stock assessments of each stock are currently not available.a It is also not feasible at present to monitor changes in total catch or catch rates. 151. Combatting illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing requires a national framework. Lao PDR will need to develop and implement a national plan of action (NPOA) to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in line with the International Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IPOA-IUU). Milestones in the NPOA process could then be used to report on Lao PDR’s alignment with the IPOA-IUU. Access for small-scale artisanal fishers to resources and markets can be monitored through the FAO’s Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF).195 The three indicators related to smallscale fisheries (SSFs) are (i) the existence of instruments that specifically target or address the SSF sector, (ii) ongoing specific initiatives to implement the SSF Guidelines, and (iii) the existence of mechanisms enabling small-scale fishers and fish workers to contribute to decision-making processes. These three indicators apply equally to marine and inland small-scale fisheries. These are part of an FAO survey on CCRF Implementation.

Development issues and challenges 152. Lao PDR’s diverse freshwater ecosystem provides food and livelihood security. The Lao population rely mainly on subsistence fisheries. Aquaculture is increasing but remains less important than capture fisheries for food security. The fisheries also support businesses, ranging from shops and food stalls for fishing families to boat builders and fishing gear suppliers. 153. The country’s aquatic resources are facing threats on multiple fronts. Developments that cause habitat degradation, water pollution or restrict migration affect fisheries. These include urban development, industrialization, deforestation, agricultural intensification, and dam construction. While large reservoirs may provide opportunities for new fisheries, the impact of large hydropower and irrigation projects need to be managed, for example, through rigorous a

Stock assessments will require an examination of stock by stock to see if a stock is overfished.

environmental assessments, sound environmental management plans, appropriate construction with flow control regimes, and the provision of fish passage facilities.196 Other threats arise from overfishing,197 illegal fishing and the introduction of exotic species. Stringent controls are difficult to enforce, given the multitude of small fisheries and the strong reliance of the population on fishery. 154. In Lao PDR, community and co-management schemes for aquatic resources offer hope as some of these have been effective in conserving stocks. Community-based fisheries or comanagement programmes have been supporting Fish Conservation Zones (FCZs), which are protected areas, usually in deep pools. Additional measures such as total allowable catch limits, transferable or non-transferable quotas, and economic incentives may be needed. 155. Inadequate information on the economic significance of the fisheries sector has undermined their importance and subsequent management. The fisheries value is estimated to be around 7 per cent of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s GDP.198 The importance of fisheries in Lao PDR requires more effective planning and management of the sector, which in turn requires better information on catches and aquaculture. Better information and data systems need to be developed. 156. Constraints to aquaculture need to be addressed to realize its full potential for commercial development and poverty alleviation. From a financial perspective, aquaculture compares well with alternative traditional enterprises such as rice and capture fishery, and new enterprises, such as fruit and coffee production. Aquaculture is constrained by the lack of good inputs (e.g., fish seed, supplemental feed and manures), lack of access to capital inputs including credit, poor access to technical information and extension services, and lack of awareness among farmers of the potential of aquaculture. 199 157. Fishing communities around lakes and reservoirs need public health education. Human liver fluke infection caused by Opisthorchis viverrini, a dangerous parasite found in fish, is endemic in Thailand, Lao PDR, Cambodia, and central Vietnam and is a major public health problem among people living around reservoirs and other permanent still water bodies. The spread of these parasites is closely related to the traditional consumption of raw fish, and some fermented or dried fish products. Opisthorchiasis can have serious consequences.200, 201

SDG15 LIFE ON LAND

SDG 15. Protect and restore terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity Localization and monitoring issues 158. Definitions are key in monitoring forest cover and sustainable management plans. Lao PDR’s definition of forest set a higher standard for tree crown cover than does the international definition (Box 15.1).202 Lao PDR will also need to define clear criteria for what is considered “sustainable management” of forests (Indicator 15.2.3). On the other hand, land degradation is measured through the Agricultural Census, which is supported by FAO and largely harmonized with international definitions. 159. The data source for reporting on forest cover has changed, leading to a new coverage figure. The new data source is now the forest cover maps being developed by the Department of Forestry of MAF in a five-year cycle. These are proposed to be the basis for reporting on efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries (REDD+) as well as for the National Communications Reports to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Accordingly, forest coverage data is now different from that used in 2011, when forest cover was reported to be 40.3%,203 the figure used by the 2013 MDG Progress Report. Table 3 and Table 4 capture the changes made in forest coverage. The current forest area, according to the new data source and definitions, is 58% of the land area in Lao PDR.

Table 3. Forest and land use in Lao PDR Land use type

Area

Current forest area Potential forest area (<20 per cent canopy, including areas classified as regenerating vegetation) Other land uses (including agriculture, urban areas, etc.)

Million hectare

Per cent

13.4 6.2 3.5

58% 27% 15%

Source: FIPD Forest cover map 2015 (supported through JICA F-REDD), presented at the 5th REL/TWG under the national REDD+ Task Force in Aug 2017. 5th REL/TWG under national REDD+ Task Force in Aug 2017

Table 4. Proportion of land covered by forest Forest cover (Forested area) Forest Categories

Protection Forest Area Conservation Forest Area Production Forest Area

Total Area (million ha) 7.98 4.66 3.10 7.31

Million Hectare

Percentage within Category

Percentage of total land area

4.62 3.47 2.14 3.14

57.9% 74.4% 69.2% 40.5%

20.0% 15.1% 9.3% 13.6%

Areas outside the above three forest categories Plantation (included in the forest areas inside and outside the above three forest categories) Total, all land types

0.14

23.05[a]

Total, forest cover

0.6%

13.37

58.0%[b]

Source: FIPD Forest cover map 2015 (supported through JICA F-REDD), presented at the 5th REL/TWG under the national REDD+ Task Force in Aug 2017. [a] The total land area lying within Lao PDR's internationally established boundaries is revised to 23.05 million hectares, as provided by the

National Geographic Department, based on their remote sensing survey. [b] The forest coverage of 58% includes 0.14 million hectare of forest plantation.

160. Measurement approaches are a related issue. For target 15.2 on sustainable management of all types of forests, some development partners noted that an indicator on production forest certification may not be appropriate, since the government’s 2012 ban on logging from production forests still holds. Development partners suggest that target 15.2 should be monitored using data on forest area change, above ground biomass stock, area designated for biodiversity conservation, forest management plans and independent certification of forest management. Nonetheless, the indicator on production forest certification is already an NSEDP indicator and has been retained. The proportion of land area covered by conservation forests is a well-accepted indicator for both targets 15.2 and 15.4. An indicator on net value of biodiversity offsets per year has been proposed for the government’s consideration; however, consensus was not obtained among development partners on biodiversity offsets. 161. Monitoring systems to track SDG 15 are urgently required, given the importance of Lao PDR’s forests and ecosystems. Currently information is hard to obtain, not always consistent, and dispersed throughout different reports. Forest coverage requires standardized approaches to measurement. Data availability influences the formulation of indicators, which is not always desirable. For example, Lao PDR cannot currently report on the SDG indicator 15.1.2 Proportion of important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity that are covered by protected areas, since not all “important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity” have been listed. This is, therefore, replaced by a proxy indicator on the percentage of land area covered by protected areas. Systems need to be set up for tracking ODA and public expenditure for forests, biodiversity and ecosystems. Assistance will be needed from UNODC on reporting on the trafficking of protected flora and fauna. 93

FAO’s definition of forest

Box 15.1. Forest cover definitions

The FAO’s definition of “Forest” is “Land spanning more than 0.5 hectares with trees higher than 5 meters and a canopy cover of more than 10 percent, or trees able to reach these thresholds in situ. It does not include land that is predominantly under agricultural or urban land use.” The definition includes areas with young trees that have not yet reached but which are expected to reach a canopy cover of at least 10 per cent and tree height of 5 meters or more. It also includes areas that are temporarily unstocked due to clear-cutting as part of a forest management practice or natural disasters, and which are expected to be regenerated within 5 years. Local conditions may, in exceptional cases, justify that a longer time frame is used. It includes abandoned shifting cultivation land with a regeneration of trees that have, or are expected to reach, a canopy cover of at least 10 per cent and tree height of at least 5 meters. While some plantations are included (rubberwood, cork oak and Christmas tree plantations), and areas with bamboo and palms are included (provided that land use, height and canopy cover criteria are met), the definition excludes tree stands in agricultural production systems, such as fruit tree plantations, oil palm plantations, olive orchards and agroforestry systems when crops are grown under tree cover. Lao PDR’s definition of forest Current Forest includes natural forests and plantation forests. It refers to land with a tree canopy cover of more than 20 per cent and an area of more than 0.5 hectare. The trees should be able to reach a minimum diameter breast height of 10 cm. The basis for the distinction between forest and other land use groups is the crown density. Oil palm plantations and bamboo forests, however, are not considered as forests. Potential Forest is a previous forest area where the crown cover has been reduced below 20 per cent for one reason or another, such as logging or shifting cultivation. It includes regenerating vegetation (below) and bamboo. Regenerating Vegetation are previously forested areas where the crown density has been reduced to less than 20 per cent because of logging, shifting cultivation or other reasons. If the area is left to grow undisturbed, it will become a forest again. Regenerating Vegetation include abandoned fallow and disturbed stands with a crown density less than 20 per cent. Plantation Forests include all sustainable plantations, including young ones with a crown density less than 20 per cent. Rubber plantations are also classified as Plantation Forest. However, coffee, tea and shade-providing trees for coffee and tea, as well as fruit trees, are not classified as Plantation Forest.

References: FAO, 2012. FRA 2015: Terms and definitions. Forest Resources Assessment Working Paper 180. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome. Available from: http://www.fao.org/docrep/017/ap862e/ap862e00.pdf Forestry Strategy to the Year 2020 of Lao PDR, July 2005 and Forestry Law 2007, Lao PDR Presentation on forest/land use maps made in the 5th REL/Technical Working Group under the National REDD+ Task Force, August 2017

Development issues and challenges 162. Lao PDR has used its resources to advance growth; however, current practices may contribute to excessive resource use, which may undermine future growth prospects. Deforestation rates were estimated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forest as 0.26 per cent per annum between 2010 and 2015.204 The rate seems to have accelerated from that between 2005 and 2010, based on wall-to-wall maps of the Department of Forestry.205,206 Continued environmental degradation will negatively affect livelihoods, especially for the poor. 163. Despite progress, governance of the natural resource sectors still needs strengthening. Reversing the process of deforestation and forest degradation, and reversing biodiversity loss are key priorities for Lao PDR. This would include ensuring stronger oversight arrangements over salvage logging, enforcing the ban on illegal timber trade, combating poaching and wildlife trafficking, and preventing illegal mining. At the same time, the capacity to manage forests needs to be strengthened.

SDG16 PEACE, JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS

SDG 16. Promoting justice, safe and peaceful societies Localization and monitoring issues 164. Administrative systems for SDG 16 indicators need strengthening to produce regular and robust reports. These are the indicators on homicide victims (16.1.1), human trafficking (16.2.3), the handling of cases by the Ministry of Justice and the People’s Supreme Court (16.3.1), transparency in budget planning and execution (16.6.1 – 16.6.5), the composition of public sector employees (by gender and ethnicity, 16.7.1 and 16.7.2), and birth registration (16.9.1). In the case of trafficking, specific technical support is needed to apply the standards and methodology developed by the UNODC to measure the detected victims of trafficking in persons per 100,000 population. The methodology to measure undetected victims of trafficking in persons is still under development. 165. The group of indicators on violence and abuse against children require specially designed surveys at periodic intervals. Such surveys cannot be integrated with normal household surveys as a special methodology has to be applied to protect the safety and confidentiality of respondents and ensure that practices and protections are ethically sound and in line with WHO guidelines on safety and ethics in studies of violence against women.207 Several precautions are used to ensure privacy. A survey response plan has to be put in place to provide services for respondents who need and want help for past or current experiences of violence.208 166. Some SDG indicators have not been included, due to lack of data or lack of consensus on the indicator. For example, the methodology for indicators on illicit financial flows is still being developed. Indicators related to Target 16.5 on corruption and bribery have been dropped. The first indicator (percentage of persons who had paid a bribe or were asked for a bribe) could not realistically be measured. The second indicator on bribery incidence has been measured through the World Bank’s Enterprise Survey.209 However, there was no consensus on this indicator. There was also no consensus on the indicators related to public access to information and fundamental freedoms, as Lao PDR does not have an “access to information” law. Other indicators were deemed too difficult to measure.

Development issues and challenges 167. Engaging local administrations in systematic measurement efforts is critical. The effectiveness of monitoring the SDGs depends on a wide range of issues relating to local-specific contexts and challenges. These challenges require the government and local administrations to develop local SDGs monitoring initiatives that will enable them to identify gaps and improve service delivery to accelerate progress on off-track SDGs. 168. The greater openness of borders poses both opportunities and challenges for realizing SDG 16. Increased and affordable access to regular migration channels protects migrant workers, while reducing exploitation and trafficking. However, without effective law enforcement and protection mechanisms, the greater openness brought about by the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) will have a negative impact. Looser customs and border control procedures could lead to a 98

rise in illegal trade, trafficking and crime. Increased connectivity is beneficial for trade and economic growth, but it also opens the way for transnational crime syndicates. More than ever, Lao PDRâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s close collaboration with other countries will need to continue within regional frameworks, such as the ASEAN Plan of Action Against Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children and the ASEAN Convention Against Trafficking in Persons. 169. Corruption impedes the economy from becoming more competitive. Corruption is not inevitable. Lao PDR has publicly committed to tackling corruption in its statement at the Universal Periodic Review.210 In 2016, Lao PDR ranked 123 out of 176 countries and territories, with a score of 30 (zero being highly corrupt and 100 very clean) in the Corruption Perception Index calculated by the international NGO Transparency International. This is an improvement from the past two years.211 170. Poorly managed tourism growth may lead to exploitation of children. Increasing numbers of children in Southeast Asia are sexually exploited by local and foreign visitors who make use of facilities developed for tourism to gain access to children.212 In Lao PDR, the government is already working to address these risks through collaboration between the Lao National Tourism Administration and the police (Ministry of Public Security). Addressing sexual exploitation of children by tourists requires specific efforts to (i) educate visitors and industry stakeholders about the factors that make children susceptible to abuse, (ii) strengthen legal frameworks to allow increased criminal prosecution of traveling sex offenders in tourist destinations and countries of origin, (iii) improve the cooperation with international law enforcement agencies, and (iv) promote tourism products and services that align with child-safe tourism principles.213 171. Addressing child trafficking and exploitation needs to start with preventive measures at community level, backed by government services. These include awareness raising and education of vulnerable communities, since many trafficking rings often recruit familiar persons to persuade the child to leave home, initially voluntarily. It also requires community focal points and professional social services who are able to identify children in risky situations and intervene as required. The Governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s programme to produce qualified and trained professional social workers from tertiary education institutesa will need to be backed up by laws and regulations to empower social workers with the budget, competencies and legal authority to intervene at community and household level. Universal coverage of services providing birth registration and other identification documents will be required. 172. Steady progress has been made towards establishing rule of law, but significant challenges remain. These include insufficiencies in the number and capacity of judicial professionals in the country, the weak implementation and enforcement of laws, and the need to harmonize domestic legislation with international obligations.214 The expansion of legal services is constrained by human and financial factors, such as the costs of running legal aid facilities, the low number of qualified lawyers and the limited understanding about access to justice among men and women.

In 2011, the National University of Lao PDR began offering a full four-year Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Work and started developing a para-professional social work training course. a

SDG17 PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS

SDG 17. Revitalizing partnerships Localization and monitoring issues 173. Indicators proposed for SDG 17 capture the crosscutting elements that can be currently monitored. These include indicators on aid effectiveness and financing for development, workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; remittances, debt service, technology and statistical capacities. Clear official definitions are needed for some indicators, such as what counts as foreign direct investment (FDI) and south-south cooperation (SSC). Others will require adding questions to existing surveys. For example, the proportion of individuals using the Internet is an established indicator but can only be accurately gauged through surveys,215 as internet subscriptions recorded by the Ministry of Post and Telecommunication do not reflect internet use through mobile phones, especially among the young.

Development issues and challenges 174. Funding predictability and sustainability remain a challenge. Budget allocations and spending need to be adequate and guaranteed for core services such as provision of basic health and nutrition commodities, health outreach services, HIV/AIDS response interventions, UXO activities and important components of education and sanitation programmes. Currently some of these critical interventions are dependent on external funding. 175. Tackling the measurement and data challenges identified in this report will be necessary to strengthen statistical capacities to track SDGs. This will require close collaboration between LSB and all sectoral ministries. Among the gaps that have been identified are the lack of systematic disaggregation of data by gender and other characteristics relevant to the target and national context. Data disaggregated by gender is still not possible for a number of indicators and should be a priority. Disaggregation by disability status is lacking and a start needs to be made with relevant indicators, such as access to basic services. Other priorities include strengthening and expanding the coverage of the civil registration and vital statistics system and strengthening administrative information systems to be able to reliably track key service coverage and outcome indicators

103

SDG18 LIVES SAFE FROM UXO

LIVES SAFE FROM UXO

ຊີວິດ ລະເ

SDG 18. Remove the UXO obstacle to national development Localization and monitoring issues 176. The National Regulatory Authority has adopted new indicators to reflect the shift to new UXO survey procedures. The focus on hectares clearance has shifted to efficiency of clearance. The indicator on UXO casualties has been kept. Most of the new indicators are process indicators, on which data can be collected during implementation of procedures. Lao PDR has a Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA) database, but this needs to be linked to systems in other sectors to enable monitoring of income, health, education and employment status. The term “active-age” survivors will also need clear definition in SDG reporting. As the indicator is related to employment, Lao PDR could use the age of 15 years and above, as for Labour Force Surveys.

SDG 18: Development issues and challenges 177. Long-term strategies will need to strengthen national capacities as well as provide institutional support to the UXO sector. The new Lao PDR UXO Survey Procedures, adopted on 15 January 2015, have already contributed to greater efficiencies in the sector. Together with the system for prioritization of clearance tasks, announced at the 6th State Party Meeting,a it is expected that these new procedures will accelerate clearance. The scale and scope of the issue lie well beyond the national capacity to cope, and support from development partners continues to be required. 178. Resources are one of the constraints to expanding UXO clearance.216 Line Ministries and development partners are required to ensure UXO survey and clearance as necessary for all development projects they undertake in contaminated areas, and to build the cost into their budgets.217 In 2015, the total costs of the UXO sector amounted to US$ 37.77 million, of which the Government contribution was US$ 4.82 million in kind.218 179. Substantial long-term support will be required for UXO survivors. The UXO sector needs to be better integrated into social services, such as the health, education and social welfare systems and the disability programme. The Eighth NSEDP has made a start in this regard, with the UXO component within the national development framework. Even so, UXO continues to be a stand-alone area in practice. Protocols and procedures will need to be developed for the “mainstreaming” of UXO survivors into health, education and employment programmes. Longitudinal tracking systems are needed to ensure that UXO survivors receive the required support.

Statement by Lao PDR: Clearance and Risk Reduction Education. 6th Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, 5-7 September 2016, Geneva. http://www.clusterconvention.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Lao-PDR-1.pdf a

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LIVES SAFE FROM UXO

ຊີວິດ ລະເ

Conclusions 180. Lessons from MDG implementation will need to be incorporated into the planning and implementation of SDGs. While preceding sections have set out issues and challenges specific to each SDG, certain common elements are worth repeating here. Special efforts are still needed to reach vulnerable groups, given the widening disparities in more than one goal area. Service delivery outreach to such communities will need to be backed up by strengthening of local governance institutions, expanding community education and implementing measures to enhance participation from both men and women. Sectoral interventions will need to converge at local level, which will require both horizontal and vertical coordination in planning and implementation from central to village level. Cross-border programming is increasingly necessary for issues ranging from disease and crime to trade and environment. The reliance on external funding for outreach activities will need to be reduced over time. 181. Improvements need to be made in existing information systems to track the SDGs. Given the significant extent of convergence in focus areas of the MDGs, SDGs and the NSEDP, Lao PDRâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s existing systems and institutions monitoring the MDGs and NSEDP will continue to be useful and relevant for tracking the SDGs, but will need significant strengthening. Administrative data systems will need strengthening, more so in certain sectors, and will need to incorporate new indicators. Data disaggregation by sex, age group and disability status will need to be better implemented in administrative systems. 182. The planning of periodic surveys will need to address a number of issues. First, more sustainable sources of funding are required for surveys that are of national priority. Second, the surveys will need to incorporate new modules and indicators, especially for areas related to the non-formal sector. Third, in survey design, the government and the concerned development partner should continue and even scale-up the practice of adding other â&#x20AC;&#x153;piggy-backâ&#x20AC;? modules and conducting oversampling in specific geographic areas where more detailed information or more data disaggregation is needed. This would enable specific partners who desire the extra information to participate in both the cost and design of the survey. Fourth, surveys will need to address the issue of standard definitions. At present, some household surveys collect data on indicators that are also collected by other surveys (e.g., data on access to water and sanitation and on employment and education status of household heads are collected by more than one survey in Lao PDR). However, data on the same indicator will not be comparable between different surveys unless the same definitions are used. Better coordination is needed among development partners supporting such surveys, and agreement needs to be reached on using the same definition across all surveys. One benefit is that the same indicators would be measured more frequently. 183. Five of the SDGs and their corresponding sectors have not been part of the usual MDG reporting (Table 5). In some cases, the ministry responsible for the SDG already has its own reporting system, such as that for electrification. Others will require significant external support to adapt their systems to new requirements for monitoring and reporting (such as on sustainable consumption and production). In some cases, special surveys may be required on a periodic basis. 109

184. 2018 will be a crucial year for national development planning and SDGs. The Mid-Term Review of NSEDP is scheduled for 2018. This is also the year when results from a number of surveys become available. The VNR reporting process to the United Nations in 2018 provides an opportunity for Lao PDR to make validate baseline data and make the necessary adjustments in the SDG indicators and NSEDP indicators. The process should then inform the design of the next NSEDP and its monitoring framework.

Table 5. SDG areas previously monitored at country level as part of the MDGs

Sustainable Development Goals (Summary description)

Equivalent or overlapping MDG target

SDG 1 Ending poverty

MDG 1A

SDG 2 Achieving food security and improved nutrition SDG 3 Ensuring healthy lives and well-being

MDG 1C MDG 4A, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 6C

SDG 4 Ensuring inclusive and quality education

MDG 2A

SDG 5 Achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls

MDG 3A

SDG 6 Ensuring sustainable water and sanitation

MDG 7C

SDG 7 Ensuring sustainable energy access SDG 8 Promoting inclusive economic growth and decent work

MDG 1B

SDG 9 Promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization SDG 10 Reducing inequality SDG 11 Making cities and settlements inclusive, safe and resilient

MDG 1A MDG 7D but only at global level

SDG 12 Ensuring sustainable consumption and production SDG 13 Combat climate change and its impacts

MDG 7A

SDG 14 Conserve and sustainably use aquatic resources

MDG 7A

SDG 15 Protect and restore terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity

MDG 7B

SDG 16 Promoting justice, safe and peaceful societies SDG 17 Revitalizing partnerships SDG 18 Remove the UXO obstacle to national development

110

MDG 8 MDG 9 (Lao PDR only)

Acronyms and Abbreviations ACT: artemisinin combination therapy

MDG: Millennium Development Goal

ADB: Asian Development Bank

MoES: Ministry of Education and Sports

AEM: ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting

MoF: Ministry of Finance

ANAR: adjusted net attendance ratio

MoH: Ministry of Health

ANC1: antenatal care, one visit

MoHA: Ministry of Home Affairs

ANC4: antenatal care, four visits

MoIC: Ministry of Industry and Commerce

ASFR: Age-Specific Fertility Rate

MOICT: Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism

ASLO: Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes ATIGA: ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement BEmONC: Basic Emergency Obstretic and newborn care

MoJ: Ministry of Justice MoLSW: Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare LDC: Least Developed Country

BoL: Bank of Lao People’s Democratic Republic

LECS: Lao Expenditure & Consumption Survey

CCM: Convention on Cluster Munitions

LFS: Labour Force Survey

CCRF: Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries

LLIN: Long-lasting insecticidal net

CMPE: Center for malariology, parasitology, and entomology.

LNLS: Lao National Literacy Survey

CRVS: civil registration and vital statistics system

LWU: Lao Women’s Union

UN DESA: United Nations Department for Economic Social Affairs

MoNRE: Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment

DHIS2: Ministry of Health’s District Health Information System 2 DOTS: directly observed treatment, short-course DRR: disaster risk reduction ECD: Early childhood development EFA: Education for All EGMA: Early Grade Math Assessment EGRA: Early Grade Reading Assessment

LSB: Lao Statistics Bureau

MPI: Ministry of Planning and Investment MPT: Ministry of Post and Telecommunication MPWT: Ministry of Public Works and Transport MSM: men having sex with men MSME: Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises NCAWMC: National Committee for the Advancement of Women, Mothers and Children

EMIS: Education management information system, Ministry of Education and Sports

NCCA: National Committee for the Control of AIDS

ETPR: employment to population ratio

NCHS: National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, USA

FCZ: Fish Conservation Zones FDI: Foreign direct investment FIES: Food Insecurity Experience Scale FIP: Forest Investment Programme FIPD: Forest Inventory and Planning Division, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry FLEGT: Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade FSC: Forest Stewardship Council FSI: Financial Soundness Indicators FSW: female sex worker GARP: Global AIDS Response Progress

NCDs: non-communicable diseases

NCRDPE: National Committee for Rural Development and Poverty Eradication NDC: Nationally Determined Contribution NER: net enrolment rate NHSR: National Health Statistics Report FY 2014 2015 NNS: National Nutrition Strategy NPAN: National Plan of Action on Nutrition NPOA: National Plan of Action (NPOA) to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing

GBD: Global Burden of Disease

NSEDP: National Socio-Economic Development Plan

GER: gross enrolment ratio

NTD: neglected tropical diseases

Gg: Gigagram

PDNA: Post-Disaster Needs Assessment

GHG: Greenhouse gas

PLHIV: People living with HIV

GHI: Global Hunger Index

PoU: prevalence of undernourishment

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GIZ GmBH: Gesellschaft fĂźr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (German Development Agency) GLAAS: UN-Water Global Analysis And Assessment Of Sanitation And DrinkingWater GNI: Gross national income

PWID: people who inject drugs REL: Forest Reference Emission Level RIES: Research Institute for Education Sciences, Ministry of Education and Sports, RMNCH: Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Strategy

GOL: Government of Lao PDR

SEAMEO: Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization

HCFC: hydro-chlorofluorocarbons

SSC: South-South Cooperation

IFRC: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

SSF: small-scale fisheries

IMSMA: Information Management System for Mine Action

TVET: Technical and vocational education and training

IPEC: International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour IPOA-IUU: International Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing

STI: Sexually transmitted infections

TWG: Technical Working Group UHC: universal health coverage UNAIDS: Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS

ISCO: International Standard Classification of Occupations

UNCDF: United Nations Capital Development Fund

ITU: International Telecommunication Union

UNCTAD: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

IUCN: International Union for the Conservation of Nature JICA: Japan International Cooperation Agency JMP: Joint Monitoring Programme: UNICEF- WHO Joint Monitoring Programme

UNFPA: United Nations Population Fund UNIDO: United Nations Industrial Development Organization

LaoWEN: Lao Wildlife Enforcement Network

UNODC: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

LCAAS: 2015 Lao Child Anthropometry Assessment Survey

UXO: unexploded ordnance VNR: Voluntary National Review

M&E: monitoring and evaluation

VSS: Voluntary Sustainability Standards

MAF: Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

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Annex: MDG and SDG Tables Table A1. Progress towards MDG Target 1A Target 1A: Halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people whose income is less than one dollar a day 1992 1997 2002/03 2007/08 2012/13 1.1. Proportion of population below 46.0 39.1 33.5 27.6 23.2 national poverty line (%)

1.2. Poverty gap ratio (% of poverty line)

1.3. Share of poorest quintile in national consumption (%)

1992 11.2

1997 10.3

2002/03 8.0

2007/08 6.5

2012/13 5.5

1992/93 8.8

1997/98 7.7

2002/03 8.5

2007/08 7.9

2012/13 7.2

2015 Target 24

Data sources: Indicators 1.1 to 1.3: Lao Expenditure & Consumption Surveys, 1992/93, 1997/98, 2002/03, 2007/08, 2012/13 (LECS 1-5), Lao Statistics Bureau (LSB), Ministry of Planning & Investment (MPI).

Table A2. Progress towards MDG Target 1B Target 1B: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all, including women and young people 1995-2005 2005-2010 2010-2015 1.4. Average annual growth rate of GDP per 3.8 5.9 5.4 person employed (%) 1995 2005 2010 2015 1.5. Employment-to-population ratio (%) 84.9 80.4 77.7 77.1 2010 37 1.6. Proportion of employed people belonging to the two poorest quintiles (%) 2005 2010 2015 91 84 1.7. Proportion of own-account and contributing family 80.5 workers in total employment (%)

2015 Target 

 



Data sources and notes: Indicator 1.4: Labour Force Survey (LFS 2010), LSB. 1995, 2005 and 2015 Population and Housing Censuses, LSB. Following ILO recommendations, the methodology for calculating labour productivity growth is described in the 2013 MDG Progress Report.219 In line with the 2010 Labour Force Survey, employment from the 2015 census is re-calculated for the age group 15 years and above. Indicator 1.5: 2015 Population and Housing Census, LSB (recalculated). Labour Force Survey 2010, LSB. 1995 and 2005 Population and Housing Censuses, LSB. Following the 2010 Labour Force Survey, employment from the 2015 census is re-calculated for the age group 15 years and above. Indicator 1.6: Labour Force Survey 2010, LSB. This indicator is a proxy for the international MDG indicator “Proportion of employed people living below $1 (PPP) per day” as consumption data for this indicator is not available at the time of this report. Indicator 1.7: 2015 and 2005 Population and Housing Censuses. Labour Force Survey 2010, LSB.

118

Table A3. Progress towards MDG Target 1C Target 1C: Halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people who suffer from hunger 1993 1994 2000 2006 1.8. Prevalence of underweight children under-five years of age (%) Calculated with NCHS standards 44 40 40 37 39.8 35.9 36.4 31.6 Calculated with WHO standards 1993 1994 2000 2006 1.9. Prevalence of stunting in children underfive years of age (%) Calculated with NCHS Standards: 48 47 41 40 Calculated with WHO Standards: 53.6 52.9 48.2 47.6 1990-92 2000-02 2005-07 1.10. Percentage of undernourished population 42.8 37.9 26.9 (%) 1997/98 2002/03 2007/08 1.11. Proportion of population below food 32.5 19.8 24.6 poverty line (%)

2015 target 2011/12

2015 22

32 26.5 2011/12

25.5 2015

38 44 2010-12

35.6 2014-16

21.4

18.5

34 21.4

2012/13 20.1

Data sources and notes: Indicators 1.8 and 1.9: 2015 Lao Child Anthropometry Assessment Survey (LCAAS), MoH and LSB. 2011/12 Lao Social Indicators Survey, LSB. 2006 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, LSB. Indicator 1.9 now has a new 2020 target of 36% as per NNS/NPAN 2016-2020. The targets are national targets. The international MDG targets for 2015 would have been 39.8% for underweight and 26.8% for stunting (if calculated with WHO standards as half of 1993 values). Indicator 1.10: Calculated by FAO.220 Indicator 1.11. Lao Expenditure & Consumption Surveys (LECS 1-5), 1992/93, 1997/98, 2002/03, 2007/08, 2012/13, LSB.

119

Table A4. Progress towards MDG Target 2A Target 2A: Ensure that, by 2015, children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling 1992 1995 2000 2012 2016 2014/15 2.1. Net enrolment ratio, primary 58.8 65.2 77.3 95.2 98.7 98.8 education (%) 1992 1998 2007 2009 2013 2014/15 2.2. Gross enrolment ratio, secondary 20.6 29.6 44.1 45.7 50.5 64.6 education (%) 1992 1998 2007 2009 2012 2014/15 Lower secondary education 78 28.9 39.3 53.3 62.7 64.7 Upper secondary education 11.0 17.4 34.6 36.8 34.7 45.8 1992 2000 2005 2009 2016 2014/15 78 2.3. Proportion of pupils starting grade 47.7 52.3 62.0 68.4 79.6 1 who reach last grade of primary (%) 1995 2000 2001 2005 2015 2011/12 2.4. Literacy rate (youth), 15-24 year71.1 80.6 78.5 83.9 olds (%) 73.1 92.5 Total 68.7 90.5 Women Men 77.4 94.4

2015 Target

75 43 95

Data sources and notes: Indicators 2.1 and 2.2: Ministry of Education and Sports, Education Management Information System (MoES-EMIS) and UNESCO Institute of Statistics (UNESCO-UIS). 2013 and 2014 data from National EFA 2015 Review Report.221 2016 value is from the Ministry of Educationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Management Information System (EMIS). 2014/15 for Indicator 2.2 are from UNESCO recalculations of Ministry of Education data. Indicator 2.3: MoES-EMIS. Indicator 2.4: Lao Social Indicators Survey (LSIS 2011/12), Lao Statistics Bureau (LSB). Population and Housing Censuses, 1995, 2005 and 2015, LSB. Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS 2000), LSB. Lao National Literacy Survey (LNLS 2001), MoES. For youth literacy, 1995, 2001, 2005 and 2015 values here are reported (self-declared) values, while 2000 and 2011/12 values are tested values. Older age groups have lower literacy rates: the literacy rate of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s total population 15 years and above was 84.7% in 2015 (Census).

120

Table A5. Progress towards MDG Target 3A Target 3A: Eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education, preferably by 2005, and in all levels of education no later than 2015 1990 1995 2000 2005 2012 2014 2015 3.1. Ratios of girls to boys in primary, secondary and tertiary education enrolment 0.79 0.81 0.85 0.88 0.91 0.96 0.96 Primary 1998 2000 2005 2008 2012 2014 2015 Lower Secondary 0.70 0.72 0.79 0.84 0.89 0.94 0.94 Upper Secondary 0.67 0.67 0.71 0.78 0.83 0.90 Tertiary 0.42 0.52 0.7 0.71 0.77 0.96 1995 2005 2006 2010 38 44 34 3.2. Share of women in wage employment in the non-agricultural sector (%) 1990 1997 2000 2005 2012 2013 2015 3.3. Proportion of seats held by 6.3 9.4 21.2 22.9 25.0 25.0 women in national parliament (%)

2015 Target

1.00

30a

Data sources and notes: Indicator 3.1: Ministry of Education & Sports, Education Management Information System (MoES-EMIS), UNESCO Institute of Statistics (UNESCO-UIS), and Education for All 2015 National Review Report.222 Indicator 3.2: Labour Force Survey (LFS 2010), Lao Statistics Bureau (LSB). Population and Housing Censuses, 1995 & 2005, LSB. Indicator 3.3: Inter-Parliamentary Union, based on reports from the National Assembly of Lao PDR. Target for 2020 set by the Lao National Action Plan for Gender Equality is 30%.

2020 target is 30% (Lao National Action Plan for Gender Equality, NCAWMC).

121

Table A6. Progress towards MDG Target 4A Target 4A: Reduce by two-thirds, between 1990 and 2015, the under-five mortality rate 1993 1997 2003 2007 170 150 131 106 4.1. Under-five mortality rate (per 1,000 live births) 1993 1997 2003 2007 114 118 104 87 4.2. Infant mortality rate (per 1,000 live births) 2006 33 4.3.(a) Proportion of 1-year-old children immunized against measles (%) (survey) 1997 2003 2012 2013 2014 4.3.(b) Proportion of 1-year-old children 67* 42* 72* 82* 87* immunized against measles (%) (administrative data) 66.5* 4.3.(c) Measles and rubella coverage

2015 Target 2011 79

2015 86

2011 68

2015 57

2012 55

2015 88*

2016 76*

80*

among 9-12 months old children (%) (administrative data) Data sources and notes: * Asterisks indicate administrative data, which is not comparable with survey or census data. Indicators 4.1 and 4.2: Population and Housing Census 2015, Lao Statistics Bureau (LSB). The international 2015 targets for these indicators, calculated from a 1993 baseline and LSIS data are respectively 57 and 38 per thousand live births. Indicator 4.3. (a): Lao Social Indicators Survey 2011/12, LSB. Indicator 4.3. (b): Ministry of Health data, as reported by WHO-UNICEF estimates. Indicator 4.3. (c): Ministry of Health National Health Statistics Report, FY 2014 -2015

122

Table A7. Progress towards MDG Targets 5A and 5B 2015 Target

Target 5A: Reduce by three-quarters, between 1990 and 2015, the maternal mortality ratio 1995 796

2000 530

2003 433

2005 405

2009 357

2015 206

1994

2000

2005

2012*

2014*

2015*

2011/ 12 42

36*

51*

54*

5.1. Maternal mortality ratio (per 100,000 live births)

5.2. Proportion of births attended by trained health personnel (% of live births)

5.4. Adolescent birth rate (per 1000), national Rural w/out road access Rural w/road access Urban

2000

5.5. Antenatal care coverage (% of live births) 21 (a) at least one visit by trained health personnel (ANC1) (b) at least four visits by trained health personnel (ANC4)

1990

1994

2000

2005

2011

1992 115

29 1997 102

35 2005 110

42 2011 94 137 112 44

2015 76 121 89 44

2006

2011/ 12

2012

2013

2014

2015

64*

68 *

76*

91*

36*

52*

2000 40

5.6. Unmet need for family planning (%) Data sources and notes:

50 2015 Target

Target 5B: Achieve, by 2015, universal access to reproductive health 5.3. Contraceptive prevalence rate among married women (%) (a) any method (b) modern methods

260

2005 27

2011 20

* Asterisks indicate administrative data, which is not comparable with survey or census data. Indicator 5.1: Population and Housing Censuses, 1995, 2005, 2015. Lao Social Indicators Survey 2011/12, Lao Statistics Bureau (LSB) (for the seven year period preceding the survey). LSB. Lao Health Survey, 2003, LSB. Lao Reproductive Health Survey 2000, LSB.

The 2015 target is from the 2013 MDG Progress Report. The Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (RMNCH) Strategy set the 2016 target for this indicator at 200 deaths per 100,000 live births. Indicator 5.2: Lao Social Indicators Survey 2011/12, LSB (for the two-year period preceding the survey). Lao Reproductive Health Survey, 2000 & 2005, MoH & LSB. Lao Fertility and Birth Spacing Survey, 1994, MoH & LSB. Administrative data from Ministry of Health and National Health Statistics Report, 2014 -2015 for the years 2012, 2014, 2015. The 2016 target was set at 50% by the RMNCH Strategy. The definition of “Trained health personnel” does not include traditional birth attendants. The Ministry of Health and the UN adapted “skilled health workers” to “trained health workers” to fit the Lao PDR context at the MDG Report Workshop in Vientiane, 17 December 2012 (see 2013 MDG Progress Report). Indicator 5.3. Lao Social Indicators Survey 2011/12, LSB. Lao Reproductive Health Survey, 2000 & 2005, MoH & LSB. Lao Fertility and Birth Spacing Survey, 1994, MoH & LSB. The 1990 value was cited at the Round Table Implementation Meeting in 2012. The contraceptive prevalence rate is measured by LSIS only among women who are currently married or in union. Indicator 5.4: Population and Housing Census 2015, LSB. Lao Social Indicators Survey 2011/12, LSB. UN Statistical Division for earlier years. The RMNCH Strategy set a 2016 target of 90 births per 1,000 adolescent girls aged 15-19. Indicator 5.5. Lao Social Indicators Survey 2011/12, LSB. Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, 2006, LSB. Lao Reproductive Health Survey, 2000 & 2005, MoH & LSB. Administrative data from Ministry of Health/ DHIS2 Core Indicators 2014 and National Health Statistics Report, FY 2014 -2015 for the years 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. The RMNCH Strategy set the 2016 targets for Indicator 5.5 (a) at 60% and for indicator 5.6(b) at 44%. Indicator 5.6. Lao Social Indicators Survey 2011/12, LSB. Lao Reproductive Health Survey, 2000 & 2005, MoH & LSB. 2016 target set by RMNCH Strategy was 17%.

123

Table A8. Progress towards MDG Targets 6A and 6B 2015 Target

Target 6A: Have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS 2010 0.27

2011 0.28

2012 0.28

2014 0.3

2000

2005

2009

2010

2012

2014/ 15

0.03

1.83

1.4

1.20

1.4

0.38

1.26

2.1

2.44

1.6

2000

2005

2010

2012

2014

6.1 (a) HIV prevalence in general population aged 15-49 years (%) 6.1 (b) HIV prevalence in female sex workers (FSWs) aged 15-49 years (%) 6.1 (c) HIV prevalence in men having sex with men (MSM) aged 15-49 years (%) 6.2. Condom use at last high-risk sex: Percentage of female sex workers aged 15-49 years reporting the use of a condom with their most recent client (%)

<5 <5

95 91.4

92.5

92.7

2012 6.3. Proportion of population aged 15-24 years with comprehensive correct knowledge of HIV/AIDS (%) Young women aged 15-24

Young men aged 15-24

Women aged 15-49 Men aged 15-49

23 30

Target 6B: Achieve, by 2010, universal access to treatment for HIV/AIDS for all those who need it 2005 2010 2012 2013 2014 6.4.(a) Percentage of eligible adults and children 40.8 50.8 55.4 58.2 currently receiving antiretroviral therapy (or) 60.6 Percentage of adults and children with advanced HIV infection receiving ART (%) 6.4.(b) Percentage of adults and children currently receiving ART among all adults and children living with HIV (%) Data sources and notes:

2015 Target 2015 >90 54.8 34

Data was unavailable for some MDG indicators. The indicator on the ratio of school attendance of orphans to school attendance of non-orphans aged 10-14 years was dropped as AIDS orphans are less of an issue for Lao PDR compared to other types of orphans or abandoned children. Indicator 6.1. a) AEM Projection, Centre for HIV/AIDS/STI (CHAS), Ministry of Health (MoH), 2014. Indicators 6.1 b) and c) 2014/15 data as reported by the National Health Statistics Report, FY 2014-2015. Source for earlier data: Lao PDR Integrated Behavioural Biological Surveillance, MoH, for 6 programme provinces. Data constraints led to the modification of MDG indicator 6.1 “HIV prevalence among population aged 15-24 years,” to HIV prevalence in the general population of reproductive age.

Indicator 6.2. Lao PDR Integrated Behavioural Biological Surveillance, 2014, MoH, for 6 programme provinces. Due to data unavailability, Indicator 6.2 on condom use at last high-risk sex was limited to measurement among sex workers. Indicator 6.3. Lao Social Indicators Survey, 2011/12, LSB. Indicator 6.4 (a). 2005-2013 Source: Programme Report & Spectrum projection of country data, UNAIDS, up to 2013. 2014 and 2015 data from CHAS as reported by the National Health Statistics Report, FY 2014 -2015. The 2013 MDG progress report used the indicator “Percentage of eligible adults and children currently receiving ART.” The eligibility is based on the 2010 recommendations by WHO, which raised the CD4 threshold from 200 to 350 cells per mm3, at which antiretroviral therapy was deemed necessary for adults. This indicator is therefore the same as “Percentage of adults and children with advanced HIV infection receiving ARV” reported by CHAS. Indicator 6.4 (b). Source: MoH, Global AIDS Response Progress Report, 2016. Since WHO has revised the eligibility criteria for ART administration, the indicator for HIV treatment is now redefined as “Percentage of adults and children currently receiving antiretroviral therapy among all adults and children living with HIV.” The 2015 treatment coverage is lower since the denominator is larger.

124

Table A9. Progress towards MDG Target 6C 2015 Target

Target 6C: Have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse the incidence of malaria and other major diseases 6.5. Incidence and death rates associated with malaria 6.5(a) Malaria incidence (per 1,000) 6.5(b) Death rate associated with malaria (per 100,000)

1995

2000

2005

2010

2011

2013

2014

2015

11.3 6 13.5 1

7.69

2.42

3.54

2.66

5.84

7.1

4.92

0.6

7.16

1.37

3.3

0.3

0.4

0.6

0.3

0.2

2000

2006

2011

2012

2016

81.2 97.9 2013 97.2

83 2014 97.6

74.3

87 2012 92.7

2015 99.2

6.6. Proportion of children under 5 (%): Sleeping under insecticide-treated bed net Sleeping under any bed net 2009 98

2010 95

82 2011 93

1990

1995

2000

2005

2011

2013

2014

2015

492 1500 41 1990 8.7

403 1200 29 1995 4.2

330 900 21 2000 13

270 700 16 2005 24

213 540 11 2010 29

197 488 62 2011 31

190 462 2012 30

189 461 55 2015 35

1994 48

2000 77

2005 90

2007 92

2010 91

2014 90

2015 87

6.7. Proportion of children under age 5 testing positive for malaria who are treated with appropriate anti-malarial drugs (%) 6.8. Incidence, prevalence and death rates associated with tuberculosis (per 100,000) 6.8(a) Tuberculosis incidence 6.8(b) Tuberculosis prevalence 6.8(c) Mortality due to tuberculosis 6.9a Proportion of tuberculosis cases detected under directly observed treatment (DOTS) short course (%) 6.9b Proportion of tuberculosis cases cured under directly observed treatment (DOTS) short course (%)

240 750 22.5 70

Data sources and notes: Indicator 6.5. National Health Statistics Report, FY 2014 -2015, and Centre for Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology, Ministry of Health (CMPE-MoH). Indicator 6.6. Second Malaria Community Survey of Ethnic Minority Groups in Selected Areas in Lao PDR, CMPE-MoH, 2012 (Luangnamtha, Savannakhet, Saravan, Sekong and Attapeu, and covering 11 districts). National Bed Net Survey, December 2010, CMPE-MoH. Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS 2000 & 2006), LSB. 2016 data from Center for Malariology, Parasitology, and Entomology (CPME) covers only 3 provinces (see text). Surveys conducted by CMPE (2011 and 2012 data) are not comparable with MICS, since CPME surveys have a sampling design stratified according to the malaria risk and disease burden. New malaria data will be available in 2018. Indicator 6.7. Malaria Information System (MIS), CMPE-MoH. For treatment coverage, CPME counts only the cases treated with artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) due to the rise in drug resistance of P. falciparum to chloroquine and the antifolates. Indicator 6.8. National Health Statistics Report, FY 2014 -2015. WHO Global TB report 2013 and WHO country profile 2014 for earlier years. Indicator 6.9 a and b: National Health Statistics Report, FY 2014 -2015 and National Tuberculosis Control, Ministry of Heath, Lao PDR. The case detection rate (for TB all forms) was revised following the national TB survey (2010), which measured higher prevalence and incidence than estimated previously. Additionally, the MDG indicator was the case detection rate of smear microscopy positive pulmonary TB only, whereas WHO Global TB Programme is now reporting the case detection rate for all forms of TB.

125

Table A10. Progress towards MDG Targets 7A and 7B 2015 Target

Target 7A: Integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programmes and reverse the loss of environmental resources Target 7B: Reduce biodiversity loss, achieving, by 2010, a significant reduction in the rate of loss 1982 1992 2002 2012 40 7.1. Proportion of land area covered by forest (%) 49.10 47.20 41.50 1990 104,570 +10,291 121,614 1995 2003 43.3 23.1

7.2(a) Net CO2 emissions in gigagram (Gg) 7.2(b) CO2 emissions (Gg) 7.2(c) CO2 emissions removal /sink (Gg) 7.3. Consumption of ozone-depleting substances (in ozone-depleting potential-weighted metric tons)

2000 +41,764 +43,811 2,047 2006 2010 19.4 2.5

2015 2

2011 197 2011 1.3

7.4. Number of fish conservation zones 7.5. Total freshwater withdrawal as a percentage of total renewable freshwater resources (%)

2008

7.6. Proportion of land area under protection (%): a) Conservation forests (national, provincial, district), of which: b) National Biodiversity Conservation Areas

2011

2016

20.18 15 2008 115

7.7. Number of species threatened with extinction

2016 215

Data sources and notes: Indicator 7.1. Data provided for the 2013 MDG Progress Report from the Department of Forest Resource Management, Ministry of Environment & Natural Resources (MoNRE). Target update (65%) was provided by JICA. Indicator 7.2. Lao PDR Second Communication Report (24 June 2013) and First Communication Report (2 November 2000), United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change - National Reports database. Indicator 7.3. UNEP Ozone Secretariat, based on country reports. Indicator 7.4. Department of Livestock and Fishery, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests (MAF). Indicator 7.4, which is adapted to the Lao PDR context, replaces “Proportion of fish stocks within safe biological limits,” as agreed by Government and UN representatives at the MDG Report workshop, 17 December 2012. Indicator 7.5. FAO estimate based on 2005 data. FAO (2012a)223 Indicator 7.6. MoNRE data for 2013 MDG Progress Report, and MONRE: Lao Environmental Outlook 2012. 224 Indicator 7.6 replaces “Proportion of terrestrial and marine areas protected” as agreed by participants at the MDG Report workshop, 17 December 2012, to adapt to the Lao PDR context. Indicator 7.7. IUCN Red List, 2016 and 2008. The “number of species threatened with extinction” refers to the number known to be threatened within those species that have been assessed to date, but not the overall total number of threatened species for each group. “Threatened” refers to the species classified under the IUCN Red List categories of Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered.

126

Table A11. Progress towards MDG Targets 7C and 7D Target 7C: Halve, by 2015, the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation 1990 1995 2000 2005 2011 2015 28 39 45 57 70 76 7.8. Proportion of population using an improved drinking water source (%) 1995 2000 2005 2011 2015 17 26 45 57 71 7.9. Proportion of population using an improved sanitation facility (%)

2015 target 80

Target 7D: By 2020, to have achieved a significant improvement in the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers 2011 20

7.10. Proportion of urban population living in inadequate housing (%) Data sources and notes:

Indicator 7.8. Estimations by Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) of UNICEF and WHO, based on country reports. 2011 data from Lao Social Indicator Survey, 2011/12, LSB. Earlier data from the JMP. Indicator 7.9. Estimations by Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) of UNICEF and WHO, based on country reports. 2011 data from Lao Social Indicator Survey, 2011/12, LSB. Earlier data from the JMP. Indicator 7.10. Recalculated by LSB with data from Lao Social Indicator Survey, 2011/12, LSB. Indicator 7.10 was measured by the proportion of urban population living in households lacking one or more of the following: an improved drinking water source; improved sanitation facilities; a roof and proper flooring. Lao PDR’s indicator 7.10 replaces the global indicator “Proportion of people living in slums.”

127

Table A12. Progress towards MDG Target 8A Target 8A: Develop further an open, rule-based, predictable, non-discriminatory trading and financial system 1996 2000 2005 2010 2012 2014 8.1. Proportion of total developed country 85.48 91.88 98.67 89.09 95.45 96.07 imports (by value and excluding arms) from Lao PDR that were admitted free of duty for agricultural, clothing and textile products (%) 1996 2000 2004 2010 2012 2014 8.2. Proportion of total developed country 83.82 90.20 97.39 84.01 94.47 93.83 imports (by value and excluding arms) from Lao PDR that were admitted free of duty, all product categories (%) 1996 2003 2004 2011 2012 2013 8.3. Average tariffs imposed by developed countries on agricultural products, textiles and clothing from Lao PDR (%) a) Most favoured nation tariff b) Preferential tariff

23.80 1996 19.64

22.59 2001 19.09

7.24 2004 3.49

7.06 2011 3.28

7.19 2012 3.27

7.17 2013 3.28

Data sources and notes: Indicators 8.18.3: UNCTAD database. http://www.mdg-trade.org/38.Table.aspx “Developed” countries, as defined by the data source, are Japan, Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and the European Union countries. The data source provides calculation details. Only selected indicators are shown here due to the unavailability of data updates, including data previously obtained from national sources.

Table A13. Progress towards MDG Targets 8B and 8C Target 8B/ 8C: Address the special needs of the least developed countries / landlocked developing countries 1995 2000 2005 2010-11 2011-12 8.4 (a) Net official development 20.6 20.7 13.6 7.7 8.0 assistance and official aid received, as proportion of GDP (%) 2011 2012 2013 2014 8.4 (b) Net ODA receipts as proportion 5.6 4.9 4.3 4.3 of GNI (%) 2011 2012 2013 2014 63 63 64 71 8.4 (c) Net ODA receipts per capita (current US$)

2015

2015 4.0 2015 72

Data sources and notes: Indicator 8.4(a) Data from the Government of Lao PDR (Aid Management Platform) for the 2013 MDG Progress Report. Indicators 8.4b and 8.4(c) Calculated from OECD development finance data.225 ODA receipts are total net ODA flows from DAC countries, multilateral organisations, and non-DAC countries that have available data. 2015 data is calculated with population obtained from 2015 Census Only selected indicators are shown here due to unavailability of data updates, including data previously obtained from national sources such as the Aid Management Platform.

128

Table A14. Progress towards MDG Target 8D Target 8D. Deal comprehensively with the debt problems of developing countries through national and international measures in order to make debt sustainable in the long term 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 8.5. Total debt service as proportion of 8.60 6.14 7.99 17.61 13.04 10.851 exports of goods, services and primary income (%) Data source: Indicator 8.5. World Bank International Debt Statistics.226

Table A15. Progress towards MDG Target 8F Target 8F. In cooperation with the private sector, make available the benefits of new technologies, especially information and communications 1990 2000 2007 2008 2010 2015 8.6. Fixed-telephone subscriptions per 0.163 0.759 1.577 2.082 1.612 1.651 100 population 2000 2007 2009 2010 2011 2015 84 57 8.7. Mobile cellular subscribers per 100 0.2 24.6 51.6 62.6 population 2000 2003 2007 2008 2010 2015 7 8.8. Internet users per 100 population 0.1 0.3 1.6 3.55 18.2

Data sources and notes: Indicators 8.6 and 8.8: International Telecommunication Union estimates. ITU data on internet use underestimates internet use since internet use through mobile phones is not reflected. See SDG 17. Indicator 8.7: Ministry of Post & Telecommunications report for the NSEDP. See SDG 17.

129

Table A16. Progress towards MDG Targets 9A, 9B and 9C Target 9A: Ensure the complete clearance of UXO from priority / high value agricultural land by 2020 1999 2007 2009 2011 2012 2013 2015 9.1. Number of hectares released from 581 2,557 7,834 6,034 6,040 6,927 4,522 UXO contamination (hectares per year) Target 9B: Reduce substantially the number of casualties as a result of UXO incidents 1999 2008 2010 2011 2012 9.2. Number of casualties reported as 257 302 119 99 56 result of UXO incidents (casualties per year)

2014

2015

2015 Target 20,000/ year

<75

Target 9C: Ensure that the medical and rehabilitation needs of all UXO survivors are met in line with treaty obligations under the Convention on Cluster Munitions 2012 2013 2015 9.3. Provision of proper assistance to UXO NA 100% survivors: Percentage of UXO survivors having received immediate medical treatment (%) Data source: Indicators 9.1 9.3: National Regulatory Authority for UXO/Mine Action in Lao PDR.

130

Table A17. Indicators and currently available data for SDG 1 SDG 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere Selected Targets, summarized

Localized SDG Indicators

Year

Available value

Current source used /comment

1.1. Extreme poverty

1.1.1. **% of population below the international poverty line ($1.90 a day (2011 PPP)227

2012/13

15.3

LSB/ World Bank recalculation, LECS228

1.2. Poverty reduction

1.2.1. ***% of population living below the national poverty line

2012/13

23.2

LSB/LECS

2015

6.6

NCRDPE

MoLSW

2015

30.36

Published in NSEDP (see also 3.8.4)

Data not available, MoLSW See relevant SDGs.

1.2.2. ***% families defined as poor by the National Committee on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication 1.3. Social protection systems & coverage

1.3.1. ***% population covered by National Social Security Fund 1.3.2. ***% population covered by all social health protection schemes 1.3.3. Population covered by all social protection schemes

1.4. Equal rights to resources & services

1.4.1. ***% of population living in households with access to basic services: (selected indicators from SDGs 3, 6, 4, 7, 8) 1.4.2. Ratio of bank accounts to adult populationa

1.4.3. % of adults with secure tenure rights to land 1.5. Resilience & reduced vulnerability to shocks & disasters

1.5.1. ***Persons per 100,000 directly affected (dead, missing, homeless/displaced) by natural disasters 1.5.2. Establishment of disaster risk reduction strategies at national and sub-national levels: National: Yes/No Provincial: Number of provinces with DRR strategies 1.5.3. Enhanced early warning system and climate information system: Yes/No

1.a. Resources to end poverty

-738 per 100,000

2016

EM-DAT229 See 11.5.1 and 13.1.2. MoNRE to update MoNRE will provide

--2016

1.a.1. ***General government expenditure on health % of total government expenditure % of GDP

2014 2014

3.443 0.943

1.a.2. ***General government expenditure on education % of total government expenditure % of GDP

2014 2014

12.19b 4.19

1.a.3. ***General government expenditure on social protection % of total government expenditure % of GDP

-2015

See Indicator 8.10.2. Accepted by BOL as formulated MoNRE

-2010

--1.74c

World Bank MoNRE/ MoLSW to confirm WHO Global Health Expenditure database UNESCO MoES/MoF to update ILO, 2014.230 MOLSW/MoF to update

Replaces â&#x20AC;&#x153;Percentage of adults with an account at a bank or other financial institutionâ&#x20AC;?

Total general government expenditure on education as % of total general government expenditure on all sectors. It includes expenditure funded by transfers from international sources to government. c

The percentage includes total public social protection expenditure and health expenditure (heath is 1.22% of GDP for that year). Without health, public social expenditure is less than 1% of GDP.

131

Notes: *** indicates linkages with indicators in the NSEDP M&E framework.231 ** indicates indicators already reported by Government as part of MDGs or other official reports, such as LSB survey reports and census reports. Numbering system: The target numbers correspond to those for the global SDG targets. The first two digits of the indicator numbers are from the global SDG targets and the last digit is sequential numbering.

Table A18. Indicators and currently available data for SDG 2 SDG 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture. Selected Targets, summarized 2.1. Access to safe, nutritious & sufficient food all year round

2.2. End malnutrition, including child stunting, wasting & overweight

2.3. Agricultural productivity & incomes of small-scale food producers 2.a. Investment to enhance agricultural productive capacity

Localized SDG Indicators

Year

Available value

2.1.1.***Prevalence of undernourishment in the population (%)

2014-16

18.5

FAOa

2.1.2. ***Proportion of population consuming less than the minimum dietary energy requirements of 2100 kcal/ person/day (under the Food Poverty Line defined by the Government)(%) 2.1.3. Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity in the population, based on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) and the Food Consumption Score (%)

2012/13

20.1

LSB/LECS

2.2.1. ***Prevalence of stuntingb among children under 5 years of age (%) 2.2.1.a. Prevalence of stunting among under 2 year olds (for Lao PDRâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to SUN 1,000 days programme)

2015 2011/12

35.6 44.2

2011/12

2.2.2. ***Prevalence of wastingc among children under 5 (%)

2015 2011/12

9.6 5.9

2.2.3. ***Prevalence of overweightd among children under 5(%) 2.3.1. Agricultural value added per workere (USD)

2015 2011/12

2.5 2.0

2016

927.3

2.a.1. ***Share of agricultural spending in GDP, where agriculture includes crops, livestock, fisheries, productive forestry, and hunting sectors (%)

2016

19.476 g

2.a.2. ***Total official flows (official development assistance plus other official flows) disbursed to the agriculture sector (USD)

Current source used /comment

FIES will be available in LECS 2017/18

LSB: 2015 data from Lao Child Anthropometry Assessment Survey. 2011/12 data from LSIS

World Bank database, from its national accounts & FAO dataf World Bank national accounts data MPI/LSB

Notes: *** indicates linkages with indicators in the NSEDP M&E framework.232 ** indicates indicators already reported by Government as part of MDGs or other official reports, such as LSB survey reports and census reports. Numbering system: The target numbers correspond to those for the global SDG targets. The first two digits of the indicator numbers are from the global SDG targets and the last digit is sequential numbering.

FAO global reporting based on country data on food balance sheets. Height for age <-2 standard deviations from the median of the WHO Child Growth Standards. c Weight for height <-2 standard deviations from the median of the WHO Child Growth Standards. d Weight for height >+2 standard deviations from the median of the WHO Child Growth Standards. e Constant 2010 US$, proxy indicator for overall agricultural productivity. f To be obtained from MPI and LSB, with National Accounts data & employment estimates from Census or Labour Force Survey g Agriculture, value added (% of GDP) includes forestry, hunting, and fishing, cultivation of crops and livestock production a b

132

Table A19. Indicators and currently available data for SDG 3 SDG 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages Selected Targets, summarized

Localized SDG Indicators

Year

Available value

Current source used /comment

3.1. Maternal mortality reduction

3.1.1. ***Maternal mortality ratio (per 100,000 live births)

2015

206

3.1.2. ***Proportion of births attended by trained health personnel

2015

3.2. Neonatal and under-5 mortality reduction 3.3. Fighting AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria & neglected tropical diseases, hepatitis, water-borne and other communicable diseases

3.2.1. ***Under-five mortality rate (per thousand live births)

2015

2011/12

2015

8001,000

3.3.2. ***% of people with diagnosed HIV receiving sustained ART

2015

3.3.3. ***Incidence of TB (all forms) per 100,000 population

2014

189

MoH, NHSR 2014-15

3.3.4a. ***Malaria incidence rate per 1000, Lao PDR

2015

4.9

3.3.4b. *** Malaria incidence rate per 1000 among the population living in areas where malaria transmission occurs 3.3.5. Infants receiving three doses of hepatitis B vaccine (%) 3.4.1. Probability of dying from any of the following cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes or chronic respiratory disease between age 30 and exact age 70 (%) 3.4.2. Suicide mortality rate, per 100,000 population

2015

WHO (for all of Lao PDR) This is the globally recommended indicator

2015

WHO b

Global estimates availablec

Global estimates available d Not an MoH indicator, as it is based on alcohol industry statistics by WHOe Ministry of Transport statistics and 2015 census data.f LSB/LSIS See Indicator 5.6.1.

3.4. Reduction of NCDs mortality and promotion of mental health

3.2.2. Neonatal mortality rate (per thousand live births) 3.3.1. ***Estimated number of new HIV infectionsa : Total Male Female

3.5. Substance abuse prevention & treatment

3.5.1. Alcohol per capita consumption (aged 15 years and older) within a calendar year in litres of pure alcohol

3.6. Reduction of road traffic deaths & injuries

3.6.1. Number of road traffic deaths a year per 100,000 population

3.7. Sexual and reproductive health-care services

3.7.1. ***Percentage of women of reproductive age (aged 15-49) whose demand for contraception is satisfied with modern methods

3.8. Universal health

3.7.2. ***Adolescent birth rate (aged 15-19 years) per 1,000 women in that age group 3.8.1. Coverage of essential health services233:

2015

15.3

2011/12

61.3

2015

LSB, Population and Housing Census 2015 MoH, NHSR 2014-15 administrative data LSB, Population and Housing Census 2015 LSB/ LSIS & MoH MoH estimation for the National Strategy and Action Plan 2016-2020

LSB/ Population & Housing Census 2015g

Needs recalculation. The internationally recommended indicator is number of new HIV infections per 1,000 uninfected population. Available from: http://www.who.int/immunization/monitoring_surveillance/routine/coverage/en/index4.html c The World Health Statistics 2016 report by WHO estimates this to be 24.2% for 2000â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2012 d The World Health Statistics 2016 report by WHO estimates this to be 6.4 per 100,000 for 2000â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2012 e The WHO Global Information System on Alcohol and Health estimates this to be 7.5 litres per capita. Calculation methods are available from: https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/metadata/files/Metadata-03-05-02.pdf f ASEAN Japan Transport Partnership Information Center. Statistics. Available from: https://www.ajtpweb.org/ajtp/statistics/Laos/data/road-transport-of-lao-pdr.html g Age-Specific Fertility Rate (ASFR): number of live births per 1000 women in a specific age group. a b

133

SDG 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages Selected Targets, summarized coverage

Localized SDG Indicators Prevention:

**% Antenatal care coverage (at least 4 visits) (%) **% Measles & rubella (MR) coverage (%) among 9-12

Year

Available value

2015

2014/15

2011/12 2015 2015 2015

61.3 69 76 71

2015 2015 2015 2015

35 87 54 47

2014

38.98

months old children

**Family planning coverage (Indicator 3.7.1), Non-use of tobacco (subtracted from Indicator 3.a.1),

**Improved water source (Indicator 6.1.1), **Adequate sanitation (indicator 6.2.1).

Current source used /comment MoH, NHSR 2014-15 administrative data MoH, 2014-15 administrative data See relevant indicators.

Treatment

**% of tuberculosis cases detected under DOTS **% of tuberculosis cases cured under DOTS **Skilled birth attendance (Indicator 3.1.2)% **Antiretroviral therapy (Indicator 3.3.2)% 3.8.2. ***Out of pocket health expenditure as % of total health expenditure

3.9. Reduction of mortality/morbidity from hazardous chemicals, pollution & contamination 3.a. Implementation of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control 3.b. Research & development of vaccines and medicines, access to affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all 3.c. Health financing and health workforce

MoH, NHSR 2014-15 MoH, NHSR 2014-15 MoH, NHSR 2014-15 MoH/ GARP WHO Global Health Expenditure database

3.8.3. ***Out of pocket health expenditure per capita (USD)

2014

3.8.4. ***% population covered by social health protection schemes (national health insurance scheme) 3.9.1. Deaths per year due to air pollution: Indoor Outdoor 3.9.2. Estimated deaths/year attributable to unsafe water, unsafe sanitation and lack of hygiene (diarrhoea only) 3.a.1. Age-standardized prevalence of current tobacco use among persons aged 15 and above (%) Total/female/ male

2015

30.36

3.a.2. Prevalence of current tobacco use among adolescents age 13-15 years (%) Female/male 3.b.1. Percentage of health facilities with essential medicines available based on MoH essential drug list

2011 --

MoH

3.b.2. ***Total net official development assistance disbursed to the basic health sector 3.b.3. Total net official development assistance for health as % of total health expenditure 3.c.1. Health workers per 1000 population, by urban/rural/ province/doctors/ nurses/ midwives

MoH/ MPI/MoF

2014/15

2.87

NSEDP. See Indicator 1.3.2. Global estimations available.a

2009

2300

2015

31.3 T 8.8 F 54.6 M 6F 18.7 M

WHOb

WHOc

NHSR 2014-15 (needs disaggregation)

Notes: *** indicates linkages with indicators in the NSEDP M&E framework.234 ** indicates indicators already reported by Government as part of MDGs or other official reports, such as LSB survey reports and census reports. Numbering system: The target numbers correspond to those for the global SDG targets. The first two digits of the indicator numbers are from the global SDG targets and the last digit is sequential numbering.

WHOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s World Health Statistics 2016 estimates the mortality rate attributed to household and ambient air pollution to be 107.6 per 100,000 population in 2012. b WHO, 2009 estimates: Country profile of Environmental Burden of Disease. Available from: http://www.who.int/quantifying_ehimpacts/national/countryprofile/laopeodemrep.pdf?ua=1 c WHO, 2015. WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco smoking 2015. Geneva a

134

Table A20. Indicators and currently available data for SDG 4 SDG 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all Selected Targets, summarized 4.1. Completion of free, equitable & quality primary and secondary education, leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes

Localized SDG Indicators

***4.1.1. Proportion of students at each education level

having achieved minimum proficiency level in reading and mathematics, at end of: primary lower secondary 4.1.2. Percentage of children age 6-16 years out of school:a total/ female / male(% of total age group)

Year

Available value

2015

17.2 T 16.3 F 18.3 M 79.6

**4.1.2.a Survival rate, primary (%) ***4.1.3. Completion rate, primary education235 (%)

2016

***4.1.4. Completion rate, lower secondary education236

2015

2015 T 100.2 F 98.9 M 101.4

Total Female Male

T 60.7 F 58.4 M 62.9

(%) Total Female Male

***4.1.5. Completion rate, upper secondary

2011/12 T 24.6 F 24.2 M 25

education237(%)

Total Female Male

2015

4.2. Equal access to quality ECD, care & preprimary education

***4.2.2. Gross enrolment ratio in pre-primary

4.3. Equal access to affordable and quality technical, vocational & tertiary education, including university

4.3.1. ***Number of male/female students enrolled in vocational education & training: Total Female Male

2015

4.3.2. ***Percentage of male/female graduates from Lower Secondary Upper Secondary enrolled in vocational education

2015

4.4. Youth and adults with relevant skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship

**4.4.1. Percentage of youth (15-24) having used the

2011/12

4.5. Elimination of gender disparities in education, equal access for all vulnerable groups, (disabilities, indigenous

***4.5.1. Female/Male Gender parity indices for

T 33.1 F 33.9 M 32.4

education(%) Total Female Male

T 65,000 --2.2. 56

computer/ internet: (female/male) (%) Computer during last 12 months Internet during last 12 months

enrolment (gross) Primary Lower Secondary Upper Secondary

Current source used /comment (To be measured by MoES learning assessment surveys of grades 5 and 9) Census, 2015, table 7.2 MoES-EMIS UNESCO/ UIS (MoES to update)

UNESCO/ UIS (MoES to update)

Draft NSEDP M&E Framework (MoES to update) Draft NSEDP M&E Framework (MoES to update) LSB/ LSIS

F13.9/ M 15.9 F 7.5/M 9.4 2015 0.96 0.94 0.90

UNESCO/ UIS (MoES to update)

Those who never attended school plus those who are no longer attending school (dropouts). Numbers may be calculated from Table P2.1 in the 2015 census report. a

135

SDG 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all Selected Targets, summarized

Localized SDG Indicators

and children in vulnerable situations)

***4.5.2. Female/Male Gender parity indices for

4.6. Youth and adult literacy and numeracy

***4.6.1. Percentage of adult (15+ years)

Year 2015

0.98 0.93 0.97

completion Primary, Lower Secondary Upper Secondary 2015

population reporting ability to read and write (Total/Female/Male)

*** 4.6.2. Percentage of youth 15-24 years old reporting

Available value

2015

ability to read and write (Total/Female/Male): Age 15 19 years Age 20 24 years 4.a. Child-, disabilityand gender-sensitive education facilities for safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments

4.a.1.1. % schools with access to safe and adequate handwashing water facilities based on national standards. 4.a.1.2. % schools with adequate sanitation facilities (toilets) segregated by sex 4.a.1.3. % schools with access to electricity

4.c. Increased supply of qualified teachers

4.a.1.4. % of schools with access to computers for pedagogical purposes 4 a.1.5. % of primary schools that have WASH facilities meeting national standards 4.c.1.1. % of teachers having completed teachereducation programme “trained teachers”b (Female/ Male) Primary Lower Secondary Upper Secondary

T 84.7 F 79.4 M 90 92.5/ 90.5/ 94.4 T 93.3/ F 91.7/M 94.8 T 91.6 F 89.2/ M 94 --

2015

Current source used /comment UNESCO/ UIS (MoES to update)

LSB/Census (selfdeclared literacy rate only), not comparable with LSIS (tested literacy)

MoES with DP supporta

MoES. .UNESCO/ UIS (MoES to update)

F98.1/ M 98.7 F99.6/ M 99.4 F98.8/ M 99.2

Notes: *** indicates linkages with indicators in the NSEDP M&E framework.238 ** indicates indicators already reported by Government as part of MDGs or other official reports, such as LSB survey reports and census reports. Numbering system: The target numbers correspond to those for the global SDG targets. The first two digits of the indicator numbers are from the global SDG targets and the last digit is sequential numbering.

Data not available on the following SDG indicators: % schools with hand washing facilities as per national standard, % schools with access to internet for pedagogical purposes, and % of schools with adapted infrastructure and materials for students with disability. b No data on “% Teachers Qualified” or on suggested “minimum required organized teacher training” a

136

Table A21. Indicators and currently available data for SDG 5 SDG 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls Selected Targets, summarized

Localized SDG Indicators

Year

Available value

Current source used /comment

5.1. Discrimination against women and girls ended

5.1.1. Whether national laws exist to promote gender equality and non-discrimination against women and girls 5.1.2. Whether mechanisms are operational in ‘enforcing and monitoring’ the implementation of legal frameworks for each area of law.

2017

To be assessed by NCAWMC, LWU, Women’s Caucus in National Assembly in qualitative reviews

5.2. Violence against women and girls in public and private spheres eliminated

**5.2.1. Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls aged

2014

15 years and older who report having been subject to physical or sexual violence (%) - by current/former intimate partner - by partner or non-partner

**5.2.2. Proportion of women and girls aged 15 years and

15.3 20.2 2014

5.3

LSB/ NCAWMC: Lao National Survey on Women’s Health and Life Experiences

older who report having been subject to sexual violence by persons other than intimate partner (%) 5.3. All harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage, eliminated

**5.3.2 Percentage of women aged 15-49 who gave birth By age 15 By age 18

2011/ 12

**% of women aged 20-24 years who gave birth **5.3.3. % of women age 15-49 married before age 15 years

**% of women age 20-49 married before age 18 years **% of women aged 20-24 years

3.6 19.4 2.5 18.2

by age 15 by age 18 2011 /1 2

9.3

LSB/LSIS

37.0 8.9 35.4

married by age 15 married by age 18

2012 /1 3 2017

F 28.6 M 4.9 27.5

LWU

5.5.2. ***% of women in decision-making positions /leadership positions (political, economic and public life).

2012

MoHA

5.6.1. ***Percentage of women of reproductive age (aged 15-49) whose demand for contraception is satisfied with modern methods

2011 /12

61.3

5.4. Unpaid care and domestic work recognized 5.5. Women’s effective participation & leadership at all levels of decision-making 5.6. Universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights

5.4.1. ***Percentage of time spent on unpaid domestic and care work (Female/Male)

5.a. Equal rights/access to economic resources in accordance with national laws 5.b Information and communications technology to promote women’s empowerment

5.a.1. The legal framework (including customary law) guarantees women’s equal rights to land ownership and/or control

(Currently MoH does not collect this data. This is an NSEDP indicator) LSB/LSIS

5.3.1. ***Adolescent pregnancy as % of total pregnancy

5.5.1. ***% women in National Assembly

5.b.1. ***% of population registered as mobile phone users disaggregated by sexa

LSB/LSIS. See Indicator 3.7.1.

Qualitative review NCAWMC & LWU

2015

The formulation used by ITU is % mobile-cellular telephone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants.

137

LECS 2012/13

Total 53.10 Female – Male --

International Telecommunication Union239(sex disaggregation not available)

SDG 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls Selected Targets, summarized

Localized SDG Indicators

Year

Available value

Current source used /comment

Notes: *** indicates linkages with indicators in the NSEDP M&E framework.240 ** indicates indicators already reported by Government as part of MDGs or other official reports, such as LSB survey reports and census reports. Numbering system: The target numbers correspond to those for the global SDG targets. The first two digits of the indicator numbers are from the global SDG targets and the last digit is sequential numbering.

138

Table A22. Indicators and currently available data for SDG 6 SDG 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all Selected Targets, summarized

Localized SDG Indicators

6.1. Access to safe and affordable drinking water for all

***6.1.1. Proportion of population using an improved

6.2. Access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all; open defecation ended.

***6.2.1. Proportion of population using an improved

6.3. Improved water quality, reduced pollution and untreated wastewater. 6.4. Water-use efficiencya and sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater 6.a. International cooperation and capacity-building support to water- and sanitation sector

Year

Available value

2015

76/ 69/ 86

JMP (WHO & UNICEF)241

2015

71/ 56 / 94

JMP (WHO & UNICEF)

2015

23/ 37/ 1

JMP (WHO & UNICEF)

2005

1.3%

drinking water source (%)Total/ Rural/ Urban

sanitation facility (%) Total/ Rural/ Urban

**6.2.2. Proportion of population practicing open defecation: Total/ Rural/ Urban 6.3.1. % of urban population using water from sources with zero e-coli

**6.4.1. Water stress: Freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources

***6.a.1. Net official development assistance and official aid from all sources for the water & sanitation sector (million US$): Total for sector: Water sector & resources

Current source used /comment

Sanitation & waste management) For both water and sanitation (e.g., systems)

2015 2015 2015 2015

***Total expenditure for the water sectorb 244

38.150503 21.955998 11.674827 4.519678 --

***Total expenditure for the sanitation/ hygiene sectord

MoH with WHO assistance (no data on rural water quality) AQUASTAT242 (FAO to provide more recent data, if available) OECD QWIDS database243 (MPI to update)

(MoNRE / MPWT/ MPI to provide.c A harmonized definition of “water sector” Is needed.) MoH / MPWT/ MPI to provide

Notes: *** indicates linkages with indicators in the NSEDP M&E framework.245 ** indicates indicators already reported by Government as part of MDGs or other official reports, such as LSB survey reports and census reports. Numbering system: The target numbers correspond to those for the global SDG targets. The first two digits of the indicator numbers are from the global SDG targets and the last digit is sequential numbering.

FAO is developing a standardized methodology to measure percentage change in water use efficiency. In 2012/13, the percentage of official donor capital commitments utilized in the water sector (three-year average) is estimated as 50–75%. (WHO, 2014) c The NSEDP includes an indicator on budget expenditure disaggregated by sector. d In 2012/13, the percentage of official donor capital commitments utilized in the sanitation sector (three-year average) is estimated as 50–75% (WHO, 2014) a b

139

Table A23. Indicators and currently available data for SDG 7 SDG 7: Ensure access too affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all Selected Targets, summarized 7.1. Universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services

Localized SDG Indicators

**7.1.1. Percentage of population with access to electricity (rural/urban)

**7.1.2. Percentage of households connected to the national electricity grid: Total Rural without road Rural with road Urban

Available value

2015

2017

**7.1.3. % of households using energy for cooking:

7.2. Increased share of renewable energy in the global energy mix 7.3. Improved energy efficiency

Year

Wood Charcoal Electricityb 7.2.1. Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption 7.3.1. Energy intensity level of primary energy (ratio between energy supply and gross domestic product) (MJ/$2011 PPP)

84 37.3 82.2 97 91

Current source used /comment MEM & LSB (to recalculate by population)a MEM LSB/ Census 2015

2015

2014

66.9 23.9 4.2 90.3

2.302

LSB/ Census 2015

World Bank database (Ministry of Energy & Mines has agreed to report on this)

Notes: *** indicates linkages with indicators in the NSEDP M&E framework.246 ** indicates indicators already reported by Government as part of MDGs or other official reports, such as LSB survey reports and census reports. Numbering system: The target numbers correspond to those for the global SDG targets. The first two digits of the indicator numbers are from the global SDG targets and the last digit is sequential numbering.

For 2015, percentage of population needs to be recalculated, since census data on electricity access of households excludes the collective or institutional population, which accounts for 3% of population. Data on electricity access of this population is not available. b Replaces â&#x20AC;&#x153;Percentage of population with primary reliance on clean fuels and technologyâ&#x20AC;?. Non-solid fuels are considered clean, while solid fuels are considered polluting and non-modern.

140

Table A24. Indicators and currently available data for SDG 8 SDG 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all. Selected Targets, summarized

Localized SDG Indicators

Year

Available value

Current source used /comment

8.1. Sustained per capita economic growth (at least 7 % in LDCs). 8.2. Increased economic productivity.

8.1.1. ***Real GDP Growth Rate (annual %)

2015

7.35247

8.2.1. ***Growth in labour productivity (GDP/per person employed)(%)

20102015

5.4

8.3. Policies to support decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and MSMEs

8.3.1.***Proportion of own-account workers and contributing family workers in total employment, by sex (%)

2015

T 80.5 F 86.3 M 75.0

8.4. Improved resource efficiency in consumption and production.

8.4.1. Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP

MoNRE with UNEP assistance

LSB/Labour Force Survey and MoLSW

8.5.2. ***Unemployment rate (% of labour force), ages 15 and above: Total/Female/ Male

2015

**8.5.3. Share of employed persons in the

2015

T 2.0 F 2.0 M 2.0 T 80.5 F 86.3 M 75.0

8.5. Full and productive employment and decent work for all, with equal pay for work of equal value

8.4.2. Domestic material consumption, domestic material consumption per capita, and domestic material consumption per GDP 8.5.1. Average hourly earnings of employeesb by sector

informal sector,250 ages 15 and above (Total/Female/ Male) 8.6. Reduced proportion of youth not in employment, education or training 8.7. Forced labour, human trafficking and child labour ended.

**8.6.1. Percentage of youth (aged 15-24) not in

8.8.1. Number of cases of fatal and non-fatal occupational injury reported during the reference yeard

2015 Census.251 This is only a proxy (see footnote) Calculated from census252

2010

Total 15 Female 17 Male 13

2010

Total 7.4 Female 8.2 Male 6.6

“Working children” as defined by the Lao Child Labour Survey253 Child labour surveyc

labour

8.8. Labour rights and occupational safety

Recalculated from 2015 Census249

Total 7.4 Female 7.3 Male 7.6

employment (“Working Children”), Total/Female/ Male

**8.7.2. Percentage of children aged 5-17 in hazardous

Calculated from Labour Force Survey 2010 and Census 2015 following methodology recommended by ILO for MDG reporting in 2013248 For ages 15 and above.a Recalculated from census, tables P6.1 & P6.5

2015

education, employment or training (%)

**8.7.1. Percentage of children aged 5-17 in

MPI

MoLSW will provide.

Relevant employment indicators from the census have been recalculated for ages 15 years and above to ensure comparability with the 2010 Labour Force Survey. b “Employees” mean paid employees only, not own-account workers or employers. MoLSW notes that disaggregation by sex and disability status is currently not possible. c Definitions of child labour may need adjustment to harmonize with the education law approved in July 2015. d Proxy indicator for Frequency rates of fatal and non-fatal occupational injuries, which is currently not available. a

141

SDG 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all. 8.9. Sustainable tourism creating jobs, and promoting local culture and products 8.10. Expanded access to banking, insurance and financial services

8.9.1. Revenue from tourism (million US$)a

8.10.1. **Number per 100,000 population (age 15 and above) of: Automated teller machines (ATMs) Bank branches, service units & microfinance institutionsb 8.10.2. **Percentage of adults (18 years & older) (Total/ Female/ Male):% having a Savings Book/Savings account having/used banked products/services offered by commercial or agricultural banks (“Banked adults”)c having used other formal non-bank products/services who have used only informal mechanisms

2016 2016

641.6

24.5 16.7

2014

T 24

2014

T36/F35/M36

2014

T11/F12/M10

2014 2015/16

T28/F29/M26

8.a.1. Mean number of days to clear imports 8.a.2. Number of days to obtain an operating license

2016 2016

2256 16.3

8.b.1. Total government spending in social protection and employment programmes as a percentage of the national budget and GDP

8.10.3. Ratio of bank accounts to adult population 8.a. Increase Aid for Trade support for developing countries 8.b. Global Jobs Pact of the ILO implemented

2014

World Tourism Organization254 BOL 2016 data255 calculated with census population data 2015. LSB to provide 2016 population data BoL LSB UNCDF– FinMark Trust: FinScope Lao PDR 2014 Survey (BOL to provide data for calculation with LSB population data.)

BOL to provide data on # bank accounts Enterprise surveys, World Bank Ministry of Finance/MoLSW

Notes: *** indicates linkages with indicators in the NSEDP M&E framework.257 ** indicates indicators already reported by Government as part of MDGs or other official reports, such as LSB survey reports and census reports. Numbering system: The target numbers correspond to those for the global SDG targets. The first two digits of the indicator numbers are from the global SDG targets and the last digit is sequential numbering.

This is a proxy indicator for Number of jobs in tourism industries as a proportion of total jobs and growth rate of jobs, by sex. The SDG indicator is “Number of commercial bank branches and automated teller machines (ATMs) per 100,000 adults” c Excludes over-the-counter transfers (occasional usage) a b

142

Table A25. Indicators and currently available data for SDG 9 SDG 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation Selected Targets, summarized 9.1. Quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure with affordable and equitable access for all

Localized SDG Indicators 9.1.1.***Share of the rural population who live in villages with all-weather road accessa

**9.1.2. Passenger volumes (million passenger-km)b -

Road Rail258 Air Waterways

**9.1.3. Freight/goods volumes (million ton-km)c: -

9.2. Inclusive and sustainable industrialization, increased industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s share in employment and GDP 9.3. Access of smallscale industries to financial services and integration into value chains and markets 9.4. Upgraded and sustainable industries, with increased resource-use efficiency and cleaner technologies. 9.a. Financial, technological and technical support to sustainable and resilient infrastructure 9.b. Industrial diversification and value addition to commodities 9.c. Access to ICT and to the internet

Road Rail Air Waterways

Available value

2015

84.5

NCRDPE

2013259 2014 2014 2014

2,740 -242 80

Min Transport to update/provide. Current source: ADB260

2014 -2013

395 -0.5 95

9.2.1. ***Manufacturing value added: as a percentage of GDP (%) as per capita261 (constant 2010 USD)

2016

9.2.2. ***Manufacturing employment as a percentage of total employment (%) 9.3.1. Percentage share of small-scale industries in total industry value added

2010 2015

8.785 112.3 5.07 3.54

9.3.2. Percentage of firms with a bank loan/line of credit

2016

12.4

9.4.1. CO2 emissions per unit of value added (kg per PPP $ of GDP)

2013

0.067

9.a.1. Total value of ODA and foreign direct investment (FDI) earmarked for infrastructure projects

9.b.1. Percentage of medium and high-tech industry value added in total value added

9.c.1. Percentage of population covered by a mobile network, regardless of use, disaggregated by technology

Current source used /comment

Year

World Bank database and 2015 census Labour Force Survey Census Table 9.6 MoIC survey (ongoing) with UNIDO support Enterprise surveys, World Bank (MoIC to update) Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tennessee.d MPI to define scope of infrastructure projects & provide data

MoIC survey (ongoing) with UNIDO support MPT

Notes: *** indicates linkages with indicators in the NSEDP M&E framework.262 ** indicates indicators already reported by Government as part of MDGs or other official reports, such as LSB survey reports and census reports. Numbering system: The target numbers correspond to those for the global SDG targets. The first two digits of the indicator numbers are from the global SDG targets and the last digit is sequential numbering.

Replaces Share of the rural population who live within 2 km of an all-season road, to harmonize with the NCRDPE programme. Passenger-km is the number of passengers transported (by road/rail/air/water) times the number of kilometres travelled c Million ton-km is volume of the goods (transported by road vehicles/railways/waterways), measured in millions of metric tons times kilometres travelled. Air freight is the volume of freight, express, and diplomatic bags carried on each flight stage (operation of an aircraft from take-off to its next landing), measured in metric tons times kilometres travelled. d World Bank statistics. Available from: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EN.ATM.CO2E.PP.GD a b

143

Table A26. Indicators and currently available data for SDG 10 SDG 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries Selected Targets, summarized

10.1. Income growth of bottom 40 per cent

10.2. Social, economic & political inclusion

Localized SDG Indicators

Year

10.1.1. *** Mean annualized percentile growth rate in consumption, total population (%)a Annualized growth rate of average consumption among the bottom 40 per cent of population 10.2.1. Income share held by lowest 20%

2007/8– 2012/13

10.2.2. *** % of households living below 50% of median income

10.4. Fiscal, wage & social protection policies 10.5. Financial regulation & monitoring

10.4.1. Labour share of GDP, comprising wagesb (%)

10.5.1. Bank of Lao PDR laws and related regulations revised and enacted toward compliance with international standards: c • i) Law on Bank of Lao PDR • ii) Law on Commercial Bank • iii) Securities Law • (iv) Payment System Law

Available value

1.7

Current source used /comment

LECS

1.3 2012/13

7.25

2016

World Bank calculation from LSB/LECS NCRDPE to confirm LSB/ National accounts data Bank of Lao with World Bank support.

Started Started ---

Notes: *** indicates linkages with indicators in the NSEDP M&E framework.263 ** indicates indicators already reported by Government as part of MDGs or other official reports, such as LSB survey reports and census reports. Numbering system: The target numbers correspond to those for the global SDG targets. The first two digits of the indicator numbers are from the global SDG targets and the last digit is sequential numbering.

The global SDG indicator formulation is Growth rates of household expenditure or income per capita among the bottom 40 per cent of the population and the total population. b Replaces the global SDG indicator Labour share of GDP, comprising wages and social protection transfers, as MoLSW informs that data on social protection transfers is currently not available for reporting. c The SDG target 10.5 is meant to be tracked with Financial Soundness Indicators (FSI). The World Bank and BOL developed the current formulation. BOL specifies that “Revised” means National Assembly approves the revision, while “Enacted” means the National Assembly promulgates the new Law. a

144

Table A27. Indicators and currently available data for SDG 11 SDG 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. Selected Targets, summarized

Localized SDG Indicators

11.1. Adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services

11.1.1. **Proportion of urban population living in inadequate housinga

11.4. Protection of the world’s cultural and natural heritage

11.4.1.***Number of national cultural (& historical) heritage sites 11.4.2. ***Number of natural tourist attraction sites/natural heritage sites 11.4.3. Number of UNESCO World Heritage sites 11.4.4. State Budget support to above sites: amount - expenditure

11.5. Disaster impact (on people & economy) reduced. 11.6. Adverse per capita environmental impact of cities reduced, especially on air quality and waste management

11.5.1. ***Number of deaths/ missing/ persons directly affected by natural disasters per 100,000 people

11b. Climate-friendly and resilient cities and settlements

11.b.1. % of district governments with local disaster risk reduction strategies in line with Sendai Framework 11.b.2. Establishment of national disaster risk reduction strategy and plan, including local disaster risk reduction strategies and plans of action

11.6.1 Coverage of waste collection services (%) in urban areasb265 11.6.3. Annual mean concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM 10) in selected cities (μg/m3): PM10 PM2.5

Year

Available value

Current source used /comment

2011

Calculated by LSB from LSIS 2011/12 for the 2013 MDG Report.

NSEDP/MOICT

2017

UNESCO264 MPI

--2015

---

738 per 100,000 --

-2015

-32.6

EM-DAT. See 1.5.1 and 13.1.2. (MoNRE to update) MoNRE to provide. MoNRE has data on PM10 only.PM2.5 data from GBD study as reported by the World Bank266 MoNRE See 1.5.2 and 13.1.1.

Notes: *** indicates linkages with indicators in the NSEDP M&E framework.267 ** indicates indicators already reported by Government as part of MDGs or other official reports, such as LSB survey reports and census reports. Numbering system: The target numbers correspond to those for the global SDG targets. The first two digits of the indicator numbers are from the global SDG targets and the last digit is sequential numbering.

The UN notes that this SDG indicator is the proportion of people living in households, which lack one or more of the following: durable housing, sufficient living space, easy access to safe water, access to adequate sanitation, and security of tenure. However, in Lao PDR, some non-durable housing materials are culturally acceptable and cannot be defined as slums. LSB will, therefore, need to define “inadequate housing.” In the 2013 MDG report, inadequate housing in the urban context was defined as a house that lacks one or more of the following: an improved drinking water source, improved sanitation facilities, a roof and proper flooring (e.g., an earthen floor is considered as lack of proper flooring). b The SDG indicator is Percentage of urban solid waste regularly collected and with adequate final discharge with regard to the total waste generated by the city. a

145

Table A28. Indicators and currently available data for SDG 12 SDG 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns Selected Targets, summarized

Localized SDG Indicators

Year

Available value

Current source used /comment

12.1. 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns implemented 12.2. Sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources 12.3. Food waste and food losses reduced

12.1.1 Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) National Action Plan adopted or mainstreamed into national policies

MoNRE supported by UNEP

12.2.1. Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP

MoNRE supported by UNEP

12.3.1. Food loss indexa

MAF supported by FAO

12.4. Environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle 12.5. Prevention, reduction, recycling of waste 12.8. Relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles

12.4.1. Volume of hazardous waste generated from Vientiane Capitalb

MoNRE

12.b. Tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism

12.5.1. **Rate of recycling: % of solid waste generated in Vientiane Capitalc,d 12.8.1. Mainstreaming of sustainable development into education: Primary and secondary curricula development on sustainable development Teacher Education Programmes, primary/secondary related to new curriculae 12.8.2. Number of universities with sustainability campus plan 12.b.1. Lao PDR Action Plan for Pakse Declaration (ASEAN Roadmap for Strategic Development of Ecotourism Clusters & Tourism Corridors) (i) adopted, (ii) implemented f

MoNRE268

MoES, qualitative reports See 13.3.1 --2017

---

MoES MOICT. See also indicator 8.9.1.

---

Notes: *** indicates linkages with indicators in the NSEDP M&E framework.269 ** indicates indicators already reported by Government as part of MDGs or other official reports, such as LSB survey reports and census reports. Numbering system: The target numbers correspond to those for the global SDG targets. The first two digits of the indicator numbers are from the global SDG targets and the last digit is sequential numbering.

Data may be available only on post-harvest losses. Proxy indicator for Hazardous waste generated per capita and proportion of hazardous waste treated, by type of treatment. c Proxy indicator for National recycling rate, tons of material recycled. d Proxy indicator for National recycling rate, tons of material recycled, and only for Vientiane Capital, as MoNRE notes it would be not possible to currently measure the national rate. Recycling in Lao PDR overall is estimated at about 10% of solid waste generated and collected (Ministry of Public Works and Transport, 2015). e Proxy indicators for the SDG indicator extent to which education for sustainable development is mainstreamed into primary/secondary curricula and teacher training. f The global indicator for this target is: Number of sustainable tourism strategies or policies and implemented action plans with agreed monitoring and evaluation tools. a b

146

Table A29. Indicators and currently available data for SDG 13 SDG 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts Selected Targets, summarized

Localized SDG Indicators

Year

13.1. Resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters

13.1.1. Establishment of national disaster risk reduction strategy and plan, including local disaster risk reduction strategies and plans of action

13.2. Climate change measures integrated into national policies, strategies and planning 13.3. Education, awareness-raising and capacity on climate change

Available value

See 1.5.2 and 11.b.2 2015

738 per 100,000

13.2.1. Regular progress reports on implementation of Lao PDR's Intended Nationally Determined Contribution

13.3.1. Integration of mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning into Lao PDR's education curricula at primary, secondary and tertiary level

13.1.2. ***Persons per 100,000 directly affected (dead, missing, homeless/displaced) by natural disasters

Current source used /comment

Data from EM-DATa. See 1.5.1 and 13.1.2. MoNRE/MoLSW to update MoNRE with UNDP support

MoES, qualitative report

Notes: *** indicates linkages with indicators in the NSEDP M&E framework.270 ** indicates indicators already reported by Government as part of MDGs or other official reports, such as LSB survey reports and census reports. Numbering system: The target numbers correspond to those for the global SDG targets. The first two digits of the indicator numbers are from the global SDG targets and the last digit is sequential numbering.

EM-DAT: International Disaster Database. Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters â&#x20AC;&#x201C; CRED, School of Public Health, UniversitĂŠ Catholique de Louvain, Brussels. Available from: http://www.emdat.be/database a

147

Table A30. Indicators and currently available data for SDG 14 SDG 14: Conserve and sustainably use aquatic resources for sustainable development Selected Targets, summarized

Localized SDG Indicators

14.4. Fish stocks restored to produce maximum sustainable yield.

14.4.1. Kilometres of fish conservation zonesa

14.6. Fisheries subsidies contributing to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing eliminated

14.6.1. Development and implementation of national plan of action (NPOA) to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in line with the International Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IPOAIUU) 14.b.1. Existence of instruments that specifically target or address the small-scale fisheries (SSF) sector 14.b.2. Ongoing specific initiatives to implement the SSF Guidelines 14.b.3. Existence of mechanisms enabling small-scale fishers and fish workers to contribute to decisionmaking processesb

14.b. Access for smallscale artisanal fishers to resources and markets

**Number of fish conservation zones

Current source used /comment

Year

Available value

-2011

-197

MAF with FAO support 2013 MDG Report

MAF to report on IPOAIUU with FAO support

MAF to report on survey on the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF) Implementation with FAO assistance

Notes: *** indicates linkages with indicators in the NSEDP M&E framework.271 ** indicates indicators already reported by Government as part of MDGs or other official reports, such as LSB survey reports and census reports. Numbering system: The target numbers correspond to those for the global SDG targets. The first two digits of the indicator numbers are from the global SDG targets and the last digit is sequential numbering.

Proxy indicator for the SDG indicator â&#x20AC;&#x153;Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levelsâ&#x20AC;?, as stock assessments of each stock are currently not available. b The three indicators under 14.b. are based on the FAO survey questionnaire on the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF) Implementation, which all FAO members can respond to. These three indicators apply equally to marine and inland smallscale fisheries, including inland fisheries in Lao PDR. a

148

Table A31. Indicators and currently available data for SDG 15 SDG 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss Selected Targets, summarized

Localized SDG Indicators

Year

Available value

15.1. Conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and services. .

15.1.1. ***Forest area (% of total land area) of which: relatively undisturbed old growth natural forests, degraded or logged-over natural forests, plantations a 15.1.2. % of land area covered by protection forest areab

2015

58.0

15.2. Sustainable management of all types of forests

15.2.1. ***Production forest area with certification (hectares)(e.g., FSCc)d

0.007

MAF (FIPD Forest cover map 2015 supported through JICA F-REDD), presented at the 5th REL/TWG under the national REDD+ Task Force, Aug 2017).

2015

NSEDP/MAF. However, see footnote.

15.2.2. ** Proportion of land area covered by conservation forests e

2015

15.1

Same source as 15.1.1. and same indicator as 15.4.1

15.2.3. Forest area with management plans (hectares): Production forest Conservation forest Protection forest

2017

MAF with FAO support

2010/11

Total 29272

15.3. Degraded land and soil restored

15.3.1. **Percentage of rural villages reporting land degradation Light Moderate Severe

15.4. Conservation of mountain ecosystems and biodiversity

15.4.1. **Proportion of land area covered by conservation forests

15.5. Biodiversity and protection of threatened species 15.7. Poaching and trafficking of protected flora and fauna ended.

15.5.1. ***Number of species threatened with extinction

15.9. Ecosystem and biodiversity values in national /local planning & development 15.a. Financial resources for biodiversity and ecosystemsf 15b. Resources for sustainable forest management

---

Current source used /comment

20 8 1

MAF: Lao Census of Agriculture 2010/11: To be updated in 2018/19

See indicator 15.2.2.

IUCN Red List273

2017

210

15.7.1. Proportion of traded wildlife that was poached or illicitly trafficked (total wildlife seizures to total wildlife traded, as evidenced by export permits issued) (ratio)274 15.9.1. Progress towards biodiversity national targets, as reported by the NSEDP and other national reports

UNODC/ Lao Wildlife Enforcement Network (LaoWEN)

MoNRE

15.a.1. ***Net official development assistance provided for biodiversity/ ecosystems (US$) 15.a.2. Public expenditure on biodiversity/ ecosystems

MPI

15.b.1. ***Net official development assistance provided for forestry/forest development (US$) 15.b.2. Public expenditure on forestry/forest development

MPI

MAF/MoF

MoF

Disaggregation by forest type suggested by the World Bank. Available classifications are presented in Tables 3 and 4 in text. Proxy for Proportion of important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity that are covered by protected areas : c Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The EU Action Plan for Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) should be left out as it is not an indicator for sustainable management of forests. d Development partners note that this may not be an appropriate indicator for target 15.2. See text on why it has been retained. e Proxy for Coverage by protected areas of important sites for mountain biodiversity . f The OECD has developed standards on measuring aid to forestry and to biodiversity. The indicator on net value of biodiversity offsets per year has been proposed for the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s consideration. a b

149

SDG 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss 15.c. Poaching and trafficking of protected species ended and sustainable livelihood promoted

15.c.1. Proportion of traded wildlife that was poached or illicitly trafficked

See 15.7.1.

Notes: *** indicates linkages with indicators in the NSEDP M&E framework.275 ** indicates indicators already reported by Government as part of MDGs or other official reports, such as LSB survey reports and census reports. Numbering system: The target numbers correspond to those for the global SDG targets. The first two digits of the indicator numbers are from the global SDG targets and the last digit is sequential numbering.

150

Table A32. Indicators and currently available data for SDG 16 SDG 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels Selected Targets, summarized 16.1. All forms of violence and related death rates reduced

16.2. Abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against children ended

16.3. Rule of law and equal access to justice for all 16.6. Effective, accountable and transparent institutionsd

Year

Available value

Current source used /comment

16.1.1. Number of victims of intentional homicide per 100,000 population

2012

7.1

WHO World Health Statistics 2016. MoH/MPS to update

16.1. 2. **% of young women and men aged 18-24 who experienced physical violence by age 18 (Total/ Female/ Male)

2015

T 16 F15 M17

16.1.3. **% of young women and men aged 18-24 who experienced emotional violence by age 18 (Total/ Female/ Male)

2015

T 21.1 F 24 M 17.7

16.2.1. ** % of children (1-17) who reported having been subject to physical violence over the past year (Total/ Female/ Male)

2015

T 6.6 F 8.2 M 7.4

16.2.2 **% of children who reported having been subject to emotional violence over the past year, (Total/ Female/ Male)

2015

T 9.6 F 10.1 M 9.8

16.2.3. ***Number of victims (detected/undetected) of human trafficking per 100,000 population (Total/ Female/ Male)b

16.2.4. **Percentage of young women and men aged 18-24 who experienced sexual abuse by age 18 (Total/ Female/ Male) 16.3.1. Ratio of cases successfully enforced by Ministry of Justice to total cases submitted by courtsc

2015

T 9.5 F 7.3 M 12.0

2016

1:3.5

16.6.1. Primary government expenditures as a percentage of original approved budget, disaggregated by sector (or by budget codes or similar)

2016

MoF & MPI

16.6.2. Number of days after the start of financial year when public planned budget becomes publicly availablee (target: 30 days)

2016

Revised formulation following World Bank and JICA suggestions.

16.6.3. Number of months after the end of the financial year when Ministry of Finance issues the preliminary annual budget execution report. (Target 6 months)

2016

24 months

16.6.4. Number of months after the end of the financial year when the audited budget execution report approved by the National Assembly becomes publicly available (target: 12 months (target: 6 months)

2016

Not published

Localized SDG Indicatorsa

LSB / Violence Against Children (VAC) survey, 2016

Ministry of Public Security (MPS) LSB / VAC survey

People’s Supreme Court and MoJ

Baseline data from the World Bank.

See SDG 5 also on violence against women and girls. Targets 16.4, 16.5 and 16.10 have been dropped during the interministerial workshops. b Current data availability is limited to detected victims of trafficking. UNODC support may be required for reporting on detected victims of trafficking in persons, as there is a well-developed methodology and international standards. The methodology to measure undetected victims is still under development. c This is the formulation accepted at the government workshop. Currently, data disaggregated by sex is not available. d Indicators 16.6.1 to 16.6.5 together cover SDG target 16.6 and to some extent reflect Target 16.10 on public access to information. e The scope and level of details of the report and “publicly available” are to be defined in consultation with the relevant authorities. a

151

SDG 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels Selected Targets, summarized

Localized SDG Indicatorsa

Year

Available value

16.6.5. Number of ministries/provinces with budget submission within MOF/H-issued expenditure ceilings. (target: all Ministries / provinces)a

2016

16.7 Responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making

16.7.1. **Share of women among public institution employees (%) 16.7.2. Public institution employees disaggregated by ethnic group

2015

32b

16.9 Legal identity for all, including birth registration

16.9.1. *** Percentage of children under 5 whose births have been registered with a civil authority (Total/ Female/ Male)

2011/12

T 74.8 F 75.2 M 74.3

Current source used /comment

MoHA. MoHA will provide (also by sex) LSIS â&#x20AC;&#x201C; MoHA will provide updates

Notes: *** indicates linkages with indicators in the NSEDP M&E framework.276 ** indicates indicators already reported by Government as part of MDGs or other official reports, such as LSB survey reports and census reports. Numbering system: The target numbers correspond to those for the global SDG targets. The first two digits of the indicator numbers are from the global SDG targets and the last digit is sequential numbering.

a b

The Budget Law requires ceilings to be prescribed by MOF / GOL for the total budget. This also covers all ministries/provinces. Recalculated from Census 2015

152

Table A33. Indicators and currently available data for SDG 17 SDG 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development Current source used /comment

Selected Targets, summarized

Localized SDG Indicators

Year

Available value

17.1. Domestic resource mobilization including tax and other revenue

17.1.1. *** Total government revenue (by source) as a percentage of GDP (domestic revenue/ grants/ loans)

MPI/ NSEDP

17.1.2. ***% of expenditure financed by domestic revenue

MPI/ NSEDP

17.3. Additional financial resources for developing countries from multiple sources

17.4. Long-term debt sustainability 17.6. Access to science, technology, and innovation 17.8. Enhanced use of enabling technology, in particular, ICT

17.3.1. ***Foreign direct investments (FDI), ***official development assistance (ODA) & South-South Cooperation (SSC)

---

2016

0.6

World Bank Databank. 277 MoF to confirm

17.4.1. ***Total debt service as % of exports of goods, services and primary income 17.6.1. Fixed Internet broadband subscriptions per 100 people, by speeda

2015

10.851

World Bank Databank. 278 MoF to confirm

2015 2016

0.525 0.342

17.8.1. ***% of population registered as internet users through landline & wireless.

2015

International Telecommunication Union, based on MPT reports279 MPT report for NSEDP

2015

MPT report for NSEDP

2015 2015

86 14

Census MPT report for NSEDP

2016

21.87

ITU estimate only. See text LSB

LSB

2015

Yes

LSB

2011/12

T 74.8/ F 75.2 M 74.3 --

Amount (US$) FDI /ODA/ SSC % of total domestic budget FDI /ODA/ SSC 17.3.2. Delivery on the Vientiane Declaration & Country Action Plan (VD-CAP) 17.3.3. Personal remittances received as a proportion of GDP (%)

17.8.2. ***Percentage of population registered as mobile phone usersb 17.8.3. Percentage of households owning a mobile phone 17.8.4. ***Percentage of population registered as landline and wireless home phone users 17.8.3. Percentage of Individuals using the Internet (%)

17.18. High-quality, timely and reliable data disaggregated by income, gender, age, ethnicity, migratory status, disability, geographic location and other relevant characteristics 17.19. Statistical capacity-building to enable measurements of progress on sustainable development

NSEDP indicators. Official estimations of FDI & SSC are needed from MPI & MoF

17.18.1. Proportion of SDG indicators adopted by Lao PDR that are produced with full disaggregation when relevant to the target, in accordance with the United Nations Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics 17.18.2. Adoption of national statistical legislation that complies with the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics 17.18.3. Establishment/ Implementation of Lao PDR national statistical plan 17.19.1. Completion of at least one population and housing census in the last 10 years 17.19.2. . *** % birth registration achieved (Total/ Female/ Male) 17.19.3. % death registration achieved

Qualitative review

LSIS, see Indicator 16.9.1.

MoH/LSB

Fixed broadband subscriptions refers to fixed subscriptions to high-speed access to the public Internet (a TCP/IP connection), at downstream speeds equal to, or greater than, 256 kbit/s. b This is an NSEDP indicator that MPT is able to report on. It replaces the percentage and number of mobile phone users with internet access, on which data is unavailable. a

153

SDG 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development Selected Targets, summarized

Localized SDG Indicators

Year

Current source used /comment

Available value

Notes: *** indicates linkages with indicators in the NSEDP M&E framework.280 ** indicates indicators already reported by Government as part of MDGs or other official reports, such as LSB survey reports and census reports. Numbering system: The target numbers correspond to those for the global SDG targets. The first two digits of the indicator numbers are from the global SDG targets and the last digit is sequential numbering.

Table A34. Indicators and currently available data for SDG 18 SDG 18: Remove the UXO obstacle to human development Selected SDG 18 Targets, summarized 18.1: Zero annual casualties from UXO accidents.

18.2: UXO contamination cleared from high priority areas and villages defined as ‘poor’.

18.3: Identified UXO survivors’ health and livelihoods needs met

Localized SDG Indicators

***18.1.1 Number of reported UXO casualties (disaggregated by age group and sex) 18.1.2. Percentage of contaminated villages where the population has received information on UXOConfirmed Hazardous Areas 18.2.1. Percentage of high priority hazardous areas remaining to be cleared (disaggregated by high priority villages). 18.2.2. Number of villages defined as ‘poor’ with Confirmed Hazardous Areas remaining to be cleared. 18.3.1. Proportion of registered active-age UXO survivors unable to earn sufficient income with access to basic income securityb 18.3.2. Percentage of registered UXO survivors mainstreamed into health, education and employment services.

Current source used /comment

Year

Available value

2015

NRA: UXO Sector Annual Report 2015

NRA has confirmed indicator revision.a

NRA

NRA “active-age” to be specified further NRA “mainstreamed” to be specified further.

Notes: *** indicates linkages with indicators in the NSEDP M&E framework.281 ** indicates indicators already reported by Government as part of MDGs or other official reports, such as LSB survey reports and census reports. Numbering system: The target numbers correspond to those for the global SDG targets. The first two digits of the indicator numbers are from the global SDG targets and the last digit is sequential numbering.

Original formulation was Percentage of population in contaminated villages with information on Confirmed Hazardous Areas in their village. This would require extensive surveys; it has, therefore, been modified. b The number and percentage of active age UXO survivors cannot be known unless they are registered; this provides the denominator. a

154

Notes 1

Pimhidzai, et al., 2014. LECS 5, 2012/13

15Food

LSB: Population and Housing Census, 2015

Pimhidzai, et al., 2014.

and Agricultural Organization et al, 2015

The FAO prevalence of undernourishment (PoU) indicator measures the probability that a randomly selected individual from the reference population is found to consume less than his/her calorie requirement for an active and healthy life.

The poverty gap ratio is the mean shortfall of the total population from the poverty line (counting the non-poor as having zero shortfall), expressed as a percentage of the poverty line. It measures the “poverty deficit” of the entire population, where the poverty deficit is the per capita amount of resources needed to bring all poor people above the poverty line through perfectly targeted cash transfers. The poverty severity index applies an increasing weight to greater distances below the poverty line and is therefore sensitive to the severity of poverty. 4

FAO projection for 2014-2016.

The GHI combines three equally weighted indicators in one index. These are (i) the proportion of undernourished people as a percentage of the population, (ii) the proportion of children under five who are underweight, and (iii) the mortality rate of children under five. By using a range of indicators, the GHI reflects the multi-faceted nature of hunger. The GHI is measured only if data are available and measuring hunger is relevant for the country. 18

Pimhidzai, et al., 2014 and Lindelow et al., 2010.

von Grebmer et al., 2017.

Pimhidzai, et al., 2014 and Lindelow et al., 2010.

Lao Statistics Bureau 2012

Pimhidzai, et al., 2014

The causes include food and nutrient intake, linked to feeding and care practices, and a high burden of infectious diseases, especially diarrhoea and parasitic infections. Underlying these are the mother’s health and nutrition, adolescent pregnancy, women’s knowledge and education, food availability and diversity, dietary practices, health care services, water, sanitation and hygiene practices. Determinants at a deeper level include cultural beliefs, food taboos, women’s status, farming practices, and prevailing power structures (Humphrey, 2009, Black et al., 2013)

Labour productivity is defined by the International Labour Organization (ILO) as GDP per person employed. 9

The 2010 Labour Force Survey classified occupations according to the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO 2008) of the ILO. 10

2010 Labour Force Survey

International Labour Organization, 2010.

Elementary occupations involve the performance of simple and routine tasks which may require the use of hand-held tools and considerable physical effort. Most occupations in this major group require skills at the first ISCO skill level. Tasks performed by workers in elementary occupations usually include: cleaning, restocking supplies and performing basic maintenance in apartments, houses, kitchens, hotels, offices and other buildings; washing cars and windows, helping in kitchens, delivering messages or goods, carrying luggage and handling baggage and freight, collecting and sorting refuse, sweeping streets and similar places, performing various simple farming, fishing or trapping tasks; performing simple tasks connected with mining, construction and manufacturing, etc. (Extract from ILO: International Standard Classification of Occupations ISCO 08, 2012). Available from: http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---dgreports/--dcomm/--publ/documents/publication/wcms_172572.pdf 13

Lao Statistics Bureau 2012

Barennes, et al., 2007.

Lao Statistics Bureau 2006

Ministry of Health, 2000.

Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Health and UNICEF, 2006 27

There are an estimated 200,000 Lao men and women working in Thailand, mostly in construction, plantations, domestic work and services (International Labour Organization, 2014a). 14

155

Lao Statistics Bureau, 2012.

World Health Organization, 2014a.

Lao Statistics Bureau, 2012.

Barennes et al., 2007

Holmes, et al., 2007

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, 2013

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, 2012.

World Bank, 2010.

Food and Agriculture Organization and Ministry of

for Education Sciences (RIES), 2010 Agriculture and Forestry, 2013. 38

Pimhidzai, et al., 2014.

UNESCO defines the achievement of gender parity as having reached a GPI of 0.971.03. Available from: http://www.uis.unesco.org/factsheets/documents/fs42010-en.pdf 57

Ministry of Education and Sports, Education Management Information System (EMIS) 39

Survival rate: Percentage of a cohort of students enrolled in the first grade of a given level or cycle of education in a given school year who are expected to reach a given grade, regardless of repetition. 40

GPI in education enrolment is obtained by dividing female GER by male GER. Gender disparities may also be analysed in other areas (e.g., survival, transition, graduation, etc.) by dividing the relevant indicator for females by that for males. For all indicators, a GPI of 1 means equality, GPI below 1 means a greater proportion of boys relative to girls. GPI above 1 means a greater proportion of girls relative to boys. 58

Ministry of Education and Sports: Education Management Information System (EMIS) 41

Government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, 2014. 42

Ministry of Education data provided for the 2015 MDG summary review (Government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, 2015).

All the employment indicators in this chapter, unless stated otherwise, are based on the 2010 Labour Force Survey (Lao Statistics Bureau, 2010). 59

Government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, 2014. 44

The MDG indicator, the share of women in wage employment in the non-agricultural sectors is expressed as a percentage of female workers within the total wage employment in the non-agricultural sector. Wage employment refers only to wage earners and salaried employees, or persons in paid employment jobs. It does not include employers. (ILO definition for the MDGs). In Lao PDR, this is 34 percent. However, this is not appreciably different from the share of women in wage employment in all sectors, which is calculated to be around 35 percent. Although this last is not an MDG, it is just as relevant to this analysis. 60

Lao EMIS data: Xaysoumbon Province has the lowest primary NER at 96.5 per cent and two provinces have 100 per cent primary NER (Sekong, Vientiane Capital) 45

Primary adjusted net attendance ratio (ANAR): Percentage of children of primary school age attending primary or secondary school. 46

65.4 per cent in Saravane to 93.3 per cent in Xayabury. 47

Government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, 2014 48

Ministry of Education and Sports: Education Management Information System (EMIS) 49

UNESCO definition: Number of graduates regardless of age in a given level or programme, expressed as a percentage of the population at the theoretical graduation age for that level or programme. 50

Gross graduation rates provided by UNICEF-Lao PDR, as EMIS data on these were not available at the time of the 2015 MDG Summary Review Report. 51

In 2014, the lower secondary gross graduation rate was approximately 56 percent, while the upper secondary gross graduation rate was around 34 percent. 52

In 2012, there was a difference of 54 percentage points between Vientiane Capital (76.4 percent) and Saravane (22.3 percent). 53

While the drop in literacy rate from 84 per cent in 2005 (census) to around 73 per cent in 2011 (survey) may be explained by a change in measuring methods (reported versus tested literacy rates), the drop from 79 per cent in 2001 to 73% in 2011/12 is likely to reflect the real situation, as both were measured by testing in surveys. 54

Ministry of Education and Sports, Research Institute

PASEC, 2014.

ADB and World Bank, 2012

Lao Statistics Bureau, 2010.

International Labour Organization, 2010.

Ministry of Home Affairs and Central Party Bureau, July 2012, provided for the 2013 MDG Report 65

156

Lao Statistics Bureau, 2015 (Population and Housing Census). 66

United Nations Children’s Fund et al., 2015

LSIS, Lao Statistics Bureau, 2012

70LSIS,

All malaria data are from the Ministry of Health’s Center for Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology (CMPE) 88

Comparisons of Bed Net Survey data with those from the LSIS or MICS surveys are not valid because the National Bed Net Survey used a sampling design stratified according to the malaria risk and disease burden. This was to avoid the weakness of most national surveys with regard to malaria-related data, since the sampling frame for most national surveys does not consider the malaria burden. 89

Lao Statistics Bureau, 2012

LSIS, Lao Statistics Bureau, 2012

Lao Statistics Bureau, 2012.

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), 2014.

The survey covered five provinces across the country: Luangnamtha, Savannakhet, Saravan, Sekong and Attapeu) and 11 districts in total. (Ministry of Health CMPE, 2012). 90

WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank, and the United Nations Population Division, 2014 74

LSB: Population and Housing Census, 2015

The survey was conducted by the Centre for Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology, Ministry of Health (CMPE) after a national campaign to promote the use of LLINs.. 91

Trained health professional means a doctor, nurse or midwife only, as determined by LSIS 2011/12. (Lao Statistics Bureau, 2012) 76

For Lao PDR, antenatal care coverage (at least one visit) is the percentage of women aged 15 to 49 with a live birth in a given time period that received antenatal care provided by trained health personnel (doctor, nurse or midwife) at least once during pregnancy. Lao PDR has adopted “trained” health personnel instead of “skilled” health personnel. 77

National TB Programme, 2011. National TB prevalence survey 2010-2011. 94

World Health Organization (WHO), 2012.

The estimates include the deaths from TB of HIV positive patients: 53/100 000 for non-HIV, plus 8.9/100 000 for HIV positive patients. 95

WHO now recommends eight visits, up from the previous four antenatal visits. Available from: http://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/news/antenatalcare/en/

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE), 2012a.

Among those women who had a live birth during the two years preceding the survey, 47 per cent reported that their blood pressure was checked, 23 per cent reported that a urine specimen was taken, and 23 per cent reported that a blood sample was taken during an ANC visit. Only 18 per cent of women reported that they received all three types of ANC services. Nearly one half (48 per cent) did not take any iron pills during their pregnancy, a quarter took fewer than 90 iron pills and one quarter took the recommended number of 90 iron pills or more. (LSIS, 2011/12) 79

International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), 2011. 97

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, 2012b. 98

“The current forest area which has more than 20 per cent of canopy density, according to national definition, is 9.5 million hectares, about 40 per cent of total land area compared to 47 per cent in 1992. …” (MoNRE, 2012. Environmental Outlook). 99

Estimate from the Government for the 2013 MDG report 100

Government of the Lao PDR and United Nations, 2013. 80

101

Lao Statistics Bureau, 2012.

Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), 2015.

Government of Lao PDR, 2000; Government of Lao PDR, 2013 102

National Committee for the Control of AIDS (NCCA), 2016. 82

103

National Committee for the Control of AIDS (NCCA), 2015. 83

UNEP Ozone Secretariat

Decision XIX/6, List of Parties categorized as operating under Article 5 paragraph 1 of the Montreal Protocol (considered as developing countries) (United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), 2007) 104

National Committee for the Control of AIDS (NCCA), 2016. 84

105

Lao Statistics Bureau, 2000 (MICS). Lao Statistics Bureau, 2012 (LSIS). 85

Updated statistics from Global AIDS monitoring, UNAIDS.

Source: CPME

World Health Organization (WHO), 2015b

FAO Aquastat online database.

That is, the number of species known to be threatened within those species that have been assessed to date, but not the overall total number of 106

157

threatened species for each group. Threatened refers to those species classified under the IUCN Red List categories of Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered. Available from: http://www.iucnredlist.org/initiatives/mammals/analysis /red-list-status

International Monetary Fund, 2015.

122

International Monetary Fund, 2015.

123

LSB: Population and Housing Census, 2015

124

Lao Statistics Bureau, 2012.

National Regulatory Authority (NRA) 2010, and updates from the NRA for the 2013 MDG Report. 125

IUCN Red List. Available from: http://cmsdocs.s3.amazonaws.com/summarystats/201 62_Summary_Stats_Page_Documents/2016_2_RL_Sta ts_Table_5_CORRECTED.pdf and https://www.iucn.org/theme/species/publications/iucnred-list-publications (2008 data) 107

Figures from the NRA provided for MDG Review Report (Government of the Lao Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Democratic Republic, 2015). 126

127

National Regulatory Authority for UXO, 2016

Source: National Regulatory Authority on UXO, 25 August 2014. 128

Lao Statistics Bureau, 2012 (LSIS 2011/12) and UNICEF/WHO Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP), June 2015. Note that LECS 5 (2012/13) is not strictly comparable (Pimhidzai et al., 2014) 108

109

121

129

World Bank, 2016.

The Action Plan requires nutrition-specific interventions , coming together with nutrition sensitive interventions in health, water, sanitation, agriculture, education and social protection sectors in a convergent, coordinated approach targeted at the high-risk districts. Nutrition-specific interventions include appropriate infant and young child feeding and counselling, micronutrient supplementation of women and children, and management of acute malnutrition. 130

UNICEF/WHO Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP).

The MDG definition of safe sanitation does not include shared toilets. 110

The proportion of the population using an improved sanitation facility, total, urban, rural, is the percentage of the population with access to facilities that hygienically separate human excreta from human contact. Improved facilities include flush/pour flush toilets or latrines connected to a sewer, -septic tank, or -pit, ventilated improved pit latrines, pit latrines with a slab or platform of any material that covers the pit entirely, except for the drop hole and composting toilets/latrines. Unimproved facilities include public or shared facilities of an otherwise acceptable type, flush/pour-flush toilets or latrines which discharge directly into an open sewer or ditch, pit latrines without a slab, bucket latrines, hanging toilets or latrines which directly discharge in water bodies or in the open and the practice of open defecation in the bush, field or bodies or water. 111

Antenatal care coverage increased from 46 to 75 per cent in a project in Lao PDR where cash transfers were provided to pregnant women in exchange for their seeking antenatal care, delivery and postnatal care at a health facility. Source: World Bank, Vientiane. 131

The FAO methodology in fact combines available microdata on food consumption derived from surveys with macrodata from food balance sheets. Food balance sheets provide information on the amount of food that is available for consumption after taking into account all possible alternative uses of the food items; hence, they provide approximate measures of per capita consumption (FAO, 2015). 132

Available from: http://mdgs.un.org/unsd/mdg/Metadata.aspx?IndicatorI d=31

133

WHO, 2006.

134

Vanphanom et al., 2014. United Nations Population Fund, 2014.

112

UNICEF/WHO Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP).

135

113

UNICEF/WHO Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP)

136

114

Lao Statistics Bureau, 2012.

115

UNICEF/WHO Joint Monitoring Programme

116

Lao Statistics Bureau, 2012

117

Lao Statistics Bureau, 2012

118

Lao PDR Trade Portal. www.laotradeportal.gov.la

137

National TB Centre (NTC), 2013.

138

World Health Organization (WHO) 2014b.

139

World Health Organization (WHO), 2015a.

140

World Health Organization (WHO), 2014b.

141

Calculations based on population data provided by

World Bank, 2016b. A Comparative Overview of the Incidence of Non-Tariff Measures on Trade in Lao PDR. Report No: AUS9097. February 2016. Washington: World Bank. 119

120

Ministry of Planning and Investment, 2016. NSEDP

158

the Lao Statistics Bureau (LSB) in 2015 and traffic deaths data from Ministry of Public Works and Transportation cited by the ASEAN-Japan Transport Partnership. Available from: https://www.ajtpweb.org/ajtp/statistics/index.html

Frequency rate is defined by ILO as the number of cases of fatal/non-fatal occupational injury reported during the calendar year, divided by the total number of hours worked by workers in the reference group during the year, multiplied by 1,000,000.

Ministry of Education and Sports, Research Institute for Educational Sciences (RIES), 2015. Chine-Tibetan children had the highest primary survival rate (87 per cent in 2012), higher than did Lao-Tai children (67 per cent in 2012), while the MonKhmer had the lowest survival rate (59 per cent in 2012). 145

Government of the Lao PDR, 2014.

Incomplete schools do not have sufficient facilities for children to complete the primary cycle up to grade 5. 147

Education Sector Development Plan 2013 MidTerm Review Evaluation Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 2014 150

Benveniste et al., 2007.

National review of primary school textbook availability, 2011 152

165

World Bank Group, 2017.

166

Ahn, Pong-Sul, 2015.

167

International Labour Organization 2016.

168

Dhir, 2015.

169

Theil, S., 2015.

Currently, estimates of CO2 emissions by country are available from the Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tennessee, USA, the primary climate-change data and information analysis centre of the U.S. Department of Energy. Data from this source is used by the World Bank to report on this indicator. Available from: http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EN.ATM.CO2E.PP. GD?locations=LA 171

37 per cent of women aged 20-49 were married before age 18, while 9.3 per cent of women aged 1549 were married before age 15 (Lao Statistics Bureau, 2012). 153

UN-DESA, 2014.

Water usage is estimated as 82% by the agricultural sector, followed by industrial 10%, and domestic 8%. Water Environment Partnership in Asia. Available from: http://www.wepa-db.net/database.html 155

Bank Group, 2017.

IAEG-SDGs Inter-agency Expert Group on SDG Indicators Compilation of Metadata for the Proposed Global Indicators for the Review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Updated on 30 March 2016. Available from: https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/files/metadatacompilation/Metadata-Goal-7.pdf 157

Asian Development Bank, 2013. energy

Asian Development Bank, 2017.

Indicator 9.c.1 measures the percentage of inhabitants living within range of a mobile-cellular signal, irrespective of whether or not they are mobile phone subscribers or users. When there are multiple operators offering the service, the maximum population number covered should be reported. Coverage should refer to broadband (3G and more) and narrowband (2G) mobile-cellular technologies UN metadata on SDG 9: Updated on 3 March 2016. Available from: https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/files/metadatacompilation/Metadata-Goal-9.pdf

149

158

164

170

Government of the Lao PDR, 2014.

156World

Bank of Lao et al., 2014

163

144

154

Asian Development Bank, 2013.

162

RTI International, 2009. Early Grade Reading Assessment Toolkit. Washington DC: World Bank Group. Available from: http://s3.amazonaws.com/ineeassets/resources/EGRA_Toolkit_Mar09.pdf 143

151

160

Using own-account workers and contributing family workers as proxies for informal sector employment is not fully satisfactory, as the proxy may exclude employees of informal sector enterprises and other definitions of informal sector workers adopted by the Seventeenth International Conference of Labour Statisticians.

SEAMEO Secretariat and UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office (EAPRO): Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM). Available from: http://www.seaplm.org/seaplm/

148

Asian Development Bank, 2013.

161

142

146

159

172

Recalculated from Asian Development Bank, 2016.

173

OECD, 2013.

174

Asian Development Bank, 2017.

175

Asian Development Bank, 2017.

176

OECD, 2013.

177

GIZ, 2014

178

World Bank Group, 2017.

179

cholangitis (an infection of the bile duct), cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder), gallstones, hepatomegaly (enlarged liver), and cholangiocarcinoma or bile duct cancer.

World Bank Group, 2017.

Building social protection floors with the ILO: Together, to change millions of lives in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Available from: http://www.socialprotection.org/gimi/gess/ShowProject.action?id=3000 180

181

Manythone Keolangsy, 2017.

182

EM-DAT: International Disaster Database.

Sripa B, 2008. Concerted Action Is Needed to Tackle Liver Fluke Infections in Asia. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2(5): e232. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0000232 201

Asian Development Bank, 2017.

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE), 2012a

210

The Corruption Perception Index is a composite index of the opinions of mainly “internationally focused experts, typically from a corporate background and/or with higher education levels.” Compare with 2015 results (139 out of 167 countries, score 25) and 2014 results: (145 out of 175 countries, score 25). Available from: https://www.transparency.org/

National Environment Committee, 2009.

United States Agency for International Development (USAID), 2014. 191

World Bank Group 2011.

United Nations, 2014.

215

UN Metadata for Indicator 17.8.1.

National Regulatory Authority for UXO/Mine Action in Lao PDR, 2016. 219 The total number of employed people was obtained from the 1995, 2005 and 2015 censuses (to be comparable with the 2010 Labour Force Survey, census data was recalculated to obtain values for the

Mekong River Commission, Available from: http://www.mrcmekong.org/topics/fisheries/ FAO, 2006. Fishery Country Profile.

Liver fluke infections are associated with several hepatobiliary diseases, among them including

214

218

198

199

World Vision Australia. 2013.

Notification No. 093/NRA, dated 19/11/2012 on UXO Clearance for socio-economic development projects in Lao PDR. This was reaffirmed in late 2016, when the Prime Minister issued Order No. 43/PM, stipulating that development projects in provinces and districts affected by UXO must undergo survey and clearance before project implementation, and these development projects must also allocate funding for survey and clearance.

Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO): Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. Available from: http://www.fao.org/fishery/code/en

FAO, 2006. Fishery Country Profile.

213

217

195

Phonvisay Singkham, 2013.

ECPAT International. 2014.

Lao PDR’s report to the CCM, January to December 2013. Available from: http://www.clusterconvention.org/files/2011/01/LaoPDR.pdf

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, 2015.

197

212

216

194

196

United Nations, 2015a and 2015b.

211

Lao PDR, 2015. Intended Nationally Determined Contribution.

193

WHO, 2001.

World Bank Group, 2016a. Enterprise Surveys: Lao PDR 2016 Country Profile. www.enterprisesurveys.org

189

World Bank Group 2011.

207

209

T. Phonsavath, 2017.

192

FIPD Forest cover map 2015.

National Commission for Mothers and Children et al., 2016.

UNEP is supporting MoNRE in measuring the associated indicators on material footprint and domestic material consumption (in tonnes, tonnes per capita, and tonnes per GDP unit). The domestic material consumption reports the amount of materials that are used in a national economy. The material footprint of consumption reflects the amount of primary materials required to serve the final demand of a country. Resource efficiency is obtained by dividing these by units of GDP.

190

206

208

187

188

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, 2011.

205

Population-weighted exposure to ambient pollution is defined as the average level of exposure of a nation's population to concentrations of suspended particles. Exposure is calculated by weighting mean annual concentrations of PM2.5 by population in both urban and rural areas. 184

Hayes, 2015

203

FIPD Forest cover map 2015 (supported through JICA F-REDD), presented at the 5th REL/TWG under the national REDD+ Task Force in Aug 2017

International Recovery Platform: Post-Disaster Needs Assessment Methodology. Available from: http://www.recoveryplatform.org/pdna/

186

FAO, 2012b.

204

183

185

202

200

160

EM-DAT: International Disaster Database. Available from: http://www.emdat.be/database 229

population 15 years and older). Employment data from the three censuses and 2010 Labour Force Survey produced four data points (1995, 2005, 2010 and 2015) for the number of people employed over a 20-year period. The standard formula for Compound Annual Growth Rates was applied to these four data points, yielding average annual growth rates in labour productivity for the periods 1995-2005, 2005-2010 and 2010-2015:

đ??żđ??ż19952005đ??żđ??żđ??żđ??żđ??żâ&#x201E;&#x17D; = (

đ??żđ??ż20052010đ??żđ??żđ??żđ??żđ??żâ&#x201E;&#x17D;

â&#x2C6;&#x2019;1 1

đ??żđ??żđ??ż2015 â &#x201E;đ??żđ??żđ??żđ??żđ??żđ??żđ??żđ??ż2015 2015â&#x2C6;&#x2019;2010 =( ) â&#x2C6;&#x2019;1 đ??żđ??żđ??ż2010 â &#x201E;đ??żđ??żđ??żđ??żđ??żđ??żđ??żđ??ż2010 Projection for 2014-2016 (Food and Agricultural Organization et al, 2015)

Ministry of Planning and Investment, 2016.

UNESCO definition: Total number of new entrants in the last grade of primary education, regardless of age, as a percentage of the total population of the theoretical entrance age to the last grade of primary education. In the Lao context, with 5-4-3 formal education structure since 2010, this means grade 5 and children of age 10. 235

Government of the Lao Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Democratic Republic, 2014. 221

Government of the Lao Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Democratic Republic, 2014 222

FAO, 2012a.

UNESCO definition: Total number of new entrants in the last grade of lower secondary education, regardless of age, as a percentage of the total population of the theoretical entrance age to the last grade of lower secondary education (grade 9 and children of age 14). 236

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE), 2012. 224

OECD Development finance data: ODA Receipts and Selected Indicators for Developing Countries and Territories. Available from: http://www.oecd.org/dac/financing-sustainabledevelopment/development-finance-data/ 225

UNESCO definition: Total number of new entrants in the last grade of upper secondary education, regardless of age, as a percentage of the total population of the theoretical entrance age to the last grade of upper secondary education (grade 12 and children of age 17). 237

World Bank International Debt Statistics, Available from: 226

http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/DT.TDS.DECT.EX.ZS

Within each country, the country defines who is poor and who is not poor by using national standards to construct the national poverty line. However, different national standards cannot be used as a basis for comparing poverty across countries. The World Bank derived its international poverty line of $1.90 in 2011 PPP (adopted from October 2015) from the average of national poverty lines of the 15 poorest countries in the world. This means that the new global line is now $1.90 using 2011 prices, and using purchasing power parity (PPP) exchange rates, to ensure that the same quantity of goods and services are priced equivalently across countries. As differences in the cost of living across the world evolve, the global poverty line is periodically updated to reflect these changes. 227

228

232

234

220

223

Ministry of Planning and Investment, 2016.

Tracer interventions for promotion and prevention services include: family planning coverage (need satisfied), antenatal care (at least four visits), vaccination, non-use of tobacco, improved water source, adequate sanitation and other locally relevant coverage indicators. Tracer interventions for treatment services include: skilled birth attendance, antiretroviral therapy, tuberculosis treatment (case detection and treatment success), hypertension treatment, diabetes treatment, pneumonia treatment in children and other locally relevant indicators. Source: Metadata for SDG 3, 11 May 2016. Available from: http://unstats.un.org/sdgs/files/metadatacompilation/Metadata-Goal-3.pdf

đ??żđ??żđ??ż2010 â &#x201E;đ??żđ??żđ??żđ??żđ??żđ??żđ??żđ??ż2010 2010â&#x2C6;&#x2019;2005 =( ) â&#x2C6;&#x2019;1 đ??żđ??żđ??ż2005 â &#x201E;đ??żđ??żđ??żđ??żđ??żđ??żđ??żđ??ż2005 đ??żđ??ż20102015đ??żđ??żđ??żđ??żđ??żâ&#x201E;&#x17D;

International Labour Organization, 2014b

231

233

đ??żđ??żđ??ż2005â &#x201E;đ??żđ??żđ??żđ??żđ??żđ??żđ??żđ??ż2005 2005â&#x2C6;&#x2019;1995 ) đ??żđ??żđ??ż1995 â &#x201E;đ??żđ??żđ??żđ??żđ??żđ??żđ??żđ??ż1995

230

238

Ministry of Planning and Investment, 2016.

International Telecommunication Union. Available from: http://www.itu.int/en/ITUD/Statistics/Pages/stat/default.aspx 239

240

Ministry of Planning and Investment, 2016..

JMP (WHO & UNICEF). Available from: https://www.wssinfo.org/documents/?tx_displaycontroll er[type]=country_files 241

Based on 2005 data. FAO: Available from: http://www.fao.org/nr/water/aquastat/data/query/index. html?lang=en 242

OECD QWIDS database. Available from: http://stats.oecd.org/qwids/ 243

Pimhidzai, et al, 2014.

161

262

Ministry of Planning and Investment, 2016.

World Health Organization (WHO), 2014c.

263

Ministry of Planning and Investment, 2016.

245

Ministry of Planning and Investment, 2016.

264

246

Ministry of Planning and Investment, 2016.

247

World Bank. Constant 2010 US dollars

244

(i)Town of Luang Prabang, (ii) Vat Phou and Associated Ancient Settlements within the Champasak Cultural Landscape 265

The methodology for calculating labour productivity growth is described in the 2013 MDG Progress Report, which followed ILO recommendations. To ensure comparability with the 2010 Labour Force Survey, employment from the 2015 census is recalculated for the age group 15 years and above. 248

The annual mean concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in urban areas for Lao PDR was reported as 32.569 μg/m3 (micrograms per cubic metre) in 2015 (data source: Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington. Available from: http://vizhub.healthdata.org/sdg/ and as also reported by the World Bank. Available from: http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EN.ATM.PM25.MC. M3?locations=LA ). The World Health Statistics 2016 report showed that in 2014, Lao PDR and Myanmar had the highest concentrations in the ASEAN region (33.6 μg/m3 and 56.7 μg/m3 respectively). 266

To ensure comparability with the Labour Force Survey, unemployment rate is recalculated for the age group 15 years and above, and is by definition the percentage of the labour force (economically active population, employed and unemployed) (Census, Table P6.1) 249

ILO definition: Share of employed persons in the informal sector (%)=(Persons employed in the informal sector x 100)/Total employment. Available from: http://www.ilo.org/ilostatfiles/Documents/description_IFL_EN.pdf 250

Recalculated for the 15+ age group from the 2015 census (Tables P6.1, P6.5) to ensure comparability with the Labour Force Survey. This only includes own account workers and unpaid family workers and does not include employees of informal sector enterprises, etc. and others adopted by the Seventeenth International Conference of Labour Statisticians. 251

Ministry of Public Works and Transport, 2015.

269

Ministry of Planning and Investment, 2016..

270

Ministry of Planning and Investment, 2016.

271

Ministry of Planning and Investment, 2016..

272

Totals may not add up due to rounding of decimals

The weight and number of seizures cannot be used as an indicator of poaching, because it is meaningless to compare or add the different wildlife products. Since legal trade does occur among all species products, standard prices/values associated with each species are computed (UN Metadata on target 15.7 indicators).

ILO, IPEC & LSB, 2012.

World Tourism Organization, as reported in http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/ST.INT.RCPT.CD?l ocations=LA

275

Ministry of Planning and Investment, 2016.

276

Ministry of Planning and Investment, 2016.

World Bank formulation is used for the SDG indicator Volume of remittances as a percentage of total GDP. Available from:http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/BX.TRF.PWK R.DT.GD.ZS?locations=LA 277

2016 data received from BOL: 96 bank branches, 485 bank service units, 158 financial institutions (microfinance) and 1,079 ATMs. 255

Enterprise surveys, World Bank. Available from: http://www.enterprisesurveys.org/data/exploreeconomi es/2016/lao-pdr 256

The SDG indicator is “Debt service as a percentage of exports of goods and services”. The World Bank’s formulation is used here for Lao PDR. Available from: http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/DT.TDS.DECT.EX. ZS?locations=LA 278

Ministry of Planning and Investment, 2016.

Lao PDR only has a 3.5-kilometre railway linking Vientiane with Thailand’s Nong Khai province. 258

There are 4 main operators: LTC, BEELINE, UNITEL, ETL. Available from: http://www.itu.int/en/ITU279

For indicator 9.1.2 Passenger volumes, 2014 data seems to be incomplete or is an outlier. See source. 259

D/Statistics/Pages/stat/default.aspx

Asian Development Bank, 2016. Infrastructure

Calculated with 2015 census population data and World Bank data on Manufacturing, value added (constant 2010 US$) for 2015.

268

274

254

260

Ministry of Planning and Investment, 2016.

International Union for Conservation of Nature, 2016.

Tables P6.1 and P6.5. The numerator is the sum of those who are not employed and those who are not reported as “students”. Not possible to calculate “training” separately.

257

267

273

252

253

Sang-Arun, J. & Pasomsouk, K., 2012.

261

162

280

Ministry of Planning and Investment, 2016.

281

Ministry of Planning and Investment, 2016.